Benefits of trees and woodland on NHS estate valued at thousands of pounds
Date posted: 2nd February 2024
The NHS Forest team at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare recently worked with Forest Research to develop a groundbreaking report on the monetary benefits of trees and woodland on the NHS estate. The NHS Trees and Woodland Valuation Pilot Study aimed to quantify and assess the significant contribution of trees to ecosystem services on NHS estates.
Trees are valuable infrastructure assets. These natural assets are often called the world’s ‘natural capital’. Moreover, the benefits offered by trees are also hugely important to the economy. However, trees and woodlands on the NHS estate are often seen as a liability to be managed rather than an asset to be maintained. The new report aims to change that perception by showing the natural capital value of trees.
The value of the NHS green estate is not well understood. Furthermore, the NHS estate is extremely varied, with competing priorities for use and management. An estimate of ecosystem service provision and the value of the NHS green estate will support better decision making amongst stakeholders.