Episode 6 of Wild Spaces takes us to Barrowburn, a family farm within the Northumberland National Park.
Woodland creation is a critical part of the Northumberland landscape, supporting wildlife, storing carbon, reducing flood risk and contributing to the character and resilience of farming systems. Through planting trees and hedgerows, we can improve biodiversity, such as water quality in rivers, where leaves provide more nutrients for the river ecosystem.
Northumberland National Park aims to accelerate woodland creation and long-term tree establishment to support the National Park’s ambition to become Net Zero by 2030 and its longer-term goal of functioning as a carbon sink for the wider North East region. Through woodland creation, we can deliver lasting benefits for climate mitigation, nature recovery and the protection and enhancement of the National Park’s historic landscape.
Delivering high quality, resilient woodland in a protected landscape such as a National Park, is complex and requires skilled, consistent support for landowners and communities.
This project will provide resource and expertise to support woodland creation and tree and hedgerow establishment across the National Park.
Working closely with farmers, estates, land managers and volunteers to design and deliver tree planting that is sensitive to protected habitats, breeding waders, historic features and the need for resilient and productive farm businesses. The work includes woodland creation, hedgerows, in field trees and planting along watercourses, all delivered in line with the principle of Right Tree, Right Place. The project will also ensure the newly planted trees receive the maintenance and aftercare required every 1 to 2 years to successfully establish, safeguarding long-term impact and value for money.
Woodland creation is at the heart of the vision for a thriving, resilient Northumberland National Park.
The project aims to deliver 100 hectares of woodland each year. This forms part of Northumberland National Park’s wider ambition to increase broadleaved native woodland by 6,000 hectares by 2060, helping to tackle climate change while restoring nature.
Wild Spaces: an award-winning partnership
Wild Spaces is a ground-breaking cinema initiative from National Parks Partnerships and cinema advertising partner Pearl & Dean and brought to life by DIVE and Plastic Pictures. It combines the power of storytelling and cinema-going with tangible support for nature restoration projects across the UK’s 15 National Parks.
Since its launch, the initiative has already been recognised in the sponsorship and sustainability space for its innovative approach, blending conservation impact with cinema media, and continues to set a new standard for purpose-led partnerships. The partnership won at the 2025 Campaign UK Ad Net Zero Awards and was shortlisted for the 2026 European Sponsorship Association (ESA) Awards for ‘Environmentally Sustainable Sponsorship’.
To date, Wild Spaces episodes have reached over 18 million cinema goers nationwide, bringing nature-positive storytelling into mainstream audiences and helping broaden public engagement with National Parks’ vital work.
Find out more about the partnership here.