Making the dream a reality
The Boston Woods Trust began with a simple idea: that everyone in Boston should have beautiful woodland close to home. Since 2001, a small team of trustees and a much larger team of volunteers have turned that idea into more than 150 acres of woods, meadows and nature reserves on the east side of the town.
We manage Sir Joseph Banks Country Park, Fenside Woods (including the Beech Wood green burial site) and Dion's Wood Nature Reserve, and we are now developing Joan's Wood. We are an independent charity, and we depend on volunteers, members, sponsors and grant funders to look after the woods and keep them free for everyone to enjoy.
Our ambition is a band of accessible woodland around the eastern edge of Boston, linking up places where people can walk, cycle, play, reflect and enjoy nature.
What we are here to do
For health and wellbeing
Outdoor spaces support mental and physical health. Our woods give people the chance to exercise in nature, which can help with high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, stress and depression. All-weather paths welcome walkers and cyclists, and dogs are welcome outside the nature reserves.
To combat climate change
Trees take carbon out of the atmosphere as they grow. We have planted more than 90,000 trees and shrubs over the years, including a further 16,000 in 2022, and our new Joan's Wood will use species chosen to cope with a changing climate.
To encourage biodiversity
We plant native, UK-grown trees to create varied habitats and wildlife corridors, and we look after ponds, meadows and wildflower glades. In the future we hope to create a habitat for the endangered hazel dormouse.
Silviculture
Pruning and thinning are essential woodland care. They let trees grow to maturity, create diverse habitats and improve biodiversity, and they keep paths and visitors safe.
Twenty-five years of growth
A few of the milestones on the way. Our news pages and supporters page tell the fuller story.
- 2001
The Trust is established to manage Westgate Wood. Founded by Adrian Isaac, it takes on woodland originally planted by the Woodland Trust and sets out to create an accessible arc of woodland around Boston.
- 2011 to 2015
Early grants from WREN and the Big Lottery Fund improve the paths at Jenny's Wood and Westgate Wood and fund interpretation boards. The "Seeds of Time" sculpture arrives in 2015.
- 2016 to 2017
Paths and tree planting at Beech Wood and Pioneer Wood in 2016. In 2017 come new play equipment, Family Fun Days at Beech Wood and the Lime Avenue path at Sir Joseph Banks Country Park.
- 2019
Grange Wood's path is upgraded and a chainsaw sculpture trail begins to take shape.
- 2021
Dion's Wood is landscaped. Plans for 16,000 trees and shrubs are approved by Boston Borough Council.
- 2022
Dion's Wood opens to the public, and volunteers are invited to the "Boston Tree Party" tree-planting day on 4 December.
- 2023
Support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the National Grid Community Matters Fund and People's Postcode Lottery.
- 2024
Dion's Wood Nature Reserve is officially opened. The Trust wins Silver in the Royal Forestry Society Excellence in Forestry awards.
- 2025
A new bridge links Pilgrim Hospital to Dion's Wood. Froglife restores the ponds at Jenny's Wood. The Trust is named Eco-mind of the Year.
- 2026
Legacies allow us to buy 23 acres for Joan's Wood. Adrian Isaac is awarded the British Empire Medal, and the Trust wins a Pride of Place Impact Award.
Run by volunteers, for the community
The Trust is governed by a board of trustees, supported by a large and friendly volunteer team who carry out planting, mulching, pruning, thinning, litter picking and much more, three mornings a week.
The Trust at a glance
- Chairman
- Steve Elwood
- Honorary Secretary
- Frances Brooks
- Patrons
- Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam
The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain - Registered charity number
- 1090420
- Registered company number
- 4282455
- Established
- 2001
Films and press coverage
Watch short films about the growth of the woods and read what the local press has said about our work.
