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"The Woodland Trust is delighted to have developed this scheme, which is the first one of its kind for the Trust. It will be really important as it will have a positive impact supporting our work to create, protect and restore woodland right across the UK. We are looking forward to working together with the Vet Group to make a difference for our woodlands and the wildlife that they support."

Dr Darren Moorcroft, Woodland Trust chief executive

We are the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Pets at Home, including the development and launch of the Pet Memory Scheme, and would like to take this opportunity to thank the practices who have opted in to be part of the scheme.

The Pet Memory Scheme enables Vet Group practices to recognise and celebrate the life of the loved pets that you have had the pleasure to look after, while also supporting the work of the Trust to create, protect and restore woodland across the UK. The donations received from vet practices will go towards supporting our estate, providing a haven for wildlife and people.

Our inaugural State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report, released earlier this year, identified four significant findings:

• Woodland cover is increasing, but woodland wildlife is decreasing.
• Woods and trees are vital for a healthy, happy society.
• Woods and trees are subject to a barrage of coinciding threats.
• Not nearly enough is being done.

The report provides clear evidence that there is an urgent need to act. We must work together to enable native woods and trees to become a source of widespread nature recovery and improve people's lives.

Just one example of the kind of projects your donations can support is the restoration of Fingle Woods, a stunning ancient woodland in Devon, and the positive impact this has had on its population of dormice. We took ownership of the site in 2015 and began the Bringing Fingle Woods Back to Life project; one of our largest ever woodland restoration projects.

Restoration is the careful process of removing non-native trees and plants that cause deep shade across the woodland floor. This allows native trees and plants to grow and helps the wood and its wildlife to thrive. It takes decades.

The restored areas are providing the preferred habitat for dormice, and they are now thriving in Fingle Woods. Our dormice monitor recently discovered a nest in an area of thick scrub that is now developing as part of the restoration process.

We're also surveying and researching many other species of plants and animals as we develop our understanding of the impact of restoration. Though we’re just six years into a long-term restoration project, it’s clear that bringing woods back into good condition can quickly have a positive effect on our wildlife. Other species beginning to flourish include birds like chiffchaff, blackcap, willow warbler and tree pipit. We’re also seeing more butterflies over a wider area, including the pearl bordered fritillary.

Your donations will help us to carry out vital work like this across our estate, benefitting woods, trees, people and wildlife for years to come. Thank you.