The Welsh Government has launched plans for a National Forest running the length and breadth of the country, to help meet carbon reduction targets, combat flooding, create areas of new woodlands and help restore and maintain some of Wales' "unique and irreplaceable" ancient woodlands.

Drawing inspiration from the development of the Wales Coast Path, which stretches the entire 870 miles of Welsh coastline and attracts millions of visitors a year, the Welsh government is initially ploughing £5m into its scheme which also aims to create green corridors, linking existing woodland with new forests, parkland and hedges and boost tourism and people's sense of well-being. On top of the £5m allocated already in this year's budget, the first minister, Mark Drayford announced a further £10m of funding through grants for farmers and other land managers to plant trees.

"We have a responsibility to future generations to protect nature from the dangers of our changing climate but a healthy natural environment will also offer protection to our communities from the dangers we ourselves face." said Mark, "Trees improve air quality, they remove harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, they provide material for construction, they regenerate soil for food, they clean the water in our rivers and they provide a home to all the life that finds shelter in their canopy.We're looking forward to growing a forest that benefits Wales for future generations to come."

Approximately 19.4% of Welsh land area is currently covered by woodlands and trees.