First announced by Welsh Government in Spring 2020, 27 new sites were awarded National Forest for Wales last month which included Porthkerry Country Park and Cogan Wood, located in Cosmeston Lakes.

The National Forest is a long-term project, matching the scale and ambition of the Wales Coast Path, which links together a network of woodlands across Wales. In time, it will form a connected network of woodlands throughout Wales which will bring social, environmental, and economic benefits.

These could be small urban or community woodlands, private land or farms, large areas of land owned by local authorities, and charity or timber-producing woodlands. The scheme also aims to create new woodland areas across Wales.

In November, Welsh Government announced a further 27 sites had been chosen to join the National Forest for Wales Network, covering around 24,000 hectares of woodland across Wales - 12 of which are part of Welsh Government's Woodland Estate.

The other 15 sites, were the first community, local authority, or private organisation woodland areas to be named in the scheme, covering a joint area of nearly 800 hectares across Wales. Porthkerry Country Park covers 97 hectares of woodland area, whilst Cogan Wood covers 16.5 hectares.

Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, said: "I am delighted that Porthkerry Country Park and Cogan Wood have been awarded National Forest for Wales status.

 "The Vale is already nationally recognised for our heritage coastline, so to see some of our woodlands make the list so early in the scheme is just fantastic.

"It is a testament to the work of our park rangers and volunteers who maintain and protect our wooded areas, as well as educate our residents and visitors about the important role they serve in protecting and enhancing local wildlife.

 "I would like to congratulate the teams at Porthkerry and Cosmeston for being accepted onto the scheme and look forward to the positive impact this will have for generations of Vale residents to come."

 Oakfield Primary School's community forest also made the list, which covers 0.6 hectares of land.