Becoming a Friend of Westonbirt Arboretum in 2023 not only gives you free access to the leading Gloucestershire attraction for a whole year, you'll be helping to protect its national tree collection for generations to come by funding key conservation research, too.
Backed by 38,000 members and supporters, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum charity is dedicated to preserving and promoting Westonbirt, The National Arboretum as an important environmental and educational resource.
Costing £40 per year for individuals, or £78 for two people, the funds raised from its membership programme all help to support its conservation efforts, such as the regeneration of the Silk Wood in 2023.
Through its membership scheme, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum is also able to fund vital research roles, including Westonbirt's all-important tree conservation manager – as well as part-fund a four-year PhD role with UWE Bristol, which explores how to protect critically-endangered trees.
The charity draws on the money raised from memberships to help it connect people with nature, by funding roles like the community engagement officer, who is responsible for running outreach programmes in Westonbirt's newly-built community shelter.
Not to mention helping to fund Westonbirt's free mobility scooters, to continue making the arboretum accessible for everyone.
In exchange for their contribution, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum members get to enjoy all kinds of benefits, including free year-round visits to Westonbirt with up to four children – giving parents or grandparents somewhere to take the kids throughout the seasons.
There’s also the option to bring a guest along for free on Tuesdays during the wintertime; and discounted or free entry into its seven partner gardens across the UK, including Kew Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Plus, members can make the most of early bird access to the most popular events in Westonbirt’s annual calendar: its Forest Live concerts – with everyone from indie pop star Tom Grennan to the Modfather himself, Paul Weller, performing in 2023 – and Enchanted Christmas.
Also, members enjoy a 10 per cent discount at the Westonbirt shop, as well as discounts from partner organisations like Cotswold Outdoor, Go Ape, Snow & Rock and Runners Need.
Anyone interested in becoming a member can help the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum to support the Gloucestershire site for generations to come by signing up via fowa.org.uk/join.
