A GROUP of fundraisers for Westonbirt Arboretum are celebrating after reaching a £1.9 million target – opening the door for two exciting new projects.

The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum are celebrating have reached the money required for phase two of the Westonbirt Project.

Supported by donations from individuals, companies, trusts and foundations, the second phase of the project which includes a Treetop Walkway and Tree Management Centre can now be realised.

The Friends led a two year fundraising campaign, supported by the Forestry Commission who manage Westonbirt Arboretum, to achieve the funds to bring these two significant projects to life.

Fundraising manager Lorraine Jones said: “We are so thrilled to have reached our target for public fundraising.

“This is a momentous occasion for Westonbirt and being able to make the treetop walkway and Wolfson tree management centre a reality is fantastic.”

The Treetop Walkway will be a new perspective on the arboretum’s trees and landscape, transporting visitors 13 metres high into the canopy and giving them the opportunity to learn more about trees and how they live.

The Wolfson Tree Management Centre will help Westonbirt’s expert tree team manage the tree collection. It will mean the tree team can work more efficiently and spend more time working out in the arboretum, while visitors can also learn about how the collection is managed.

Construction work on the Tree Management Centre has begun thanks to a grant from the Wolfson Foundation, with work on the Treetop Walkway likely to begin in late spring 2015.

For more information please contact communications manager Emily Pryor on 01666 881207 or email emily.pryor@forestry.gov.uk