The National Forest Company

Exciting news! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that 90% of primary schools across the National Forest are now regularly engaging in outdoor learning—up from just 20% in 2016! This milestone demonstrates the transformative shift in education across the region, bringing substantial benefits to the wellbeing of our young people. 🌳 We would like to thank individuals and our partners who have helped us to achieve this target. Your continuing support is invaluable as we continue to grow the Forest and work towards our achievement of 100% of primary schools. 🙏 Read more: https://bit.ly/4dHtifw

We were delighted to have journalist Sarah Baxter join us in the National Forest for an incredible 'slow tourism' e-bike adventure with National Forest E-Bike Holidays, allowing her to witness firsthand the transformative power of trees in creating a sustainable destination. 🌳 A huge thank you to all our tourism partners for their incredible support in making this happen. 🙏

📣 We’re pleased to announce that the latest round of National Forest Arts Grants are now open for applicants! 🌱 Do you have a creative idea to grow and flourish in the National Forest? We are seeking proposals that respond to either Nature, Health & Wellbeing, Sense of Place, Sustainability, Climate Action or Circular Economy? We are looking for projects that provide different approaches to connecting people to the National Forest and would love to hear your ideas! 💚 💷 Grants of up to £3000 are available, find out more and apply, here: https://bit.ly/4eir1bL 📅 Deadline: Friday, 15 November 📷 (C) Darren Cresswell - Lady of the Forest by Evelyn Silver, supported by a National Forest Arts Grant.

Timber festival began in 2018 as a partnership between the National Forest and Wild Rumpus CIC, with the aim of telling the story of the National Forest, and providing a place for people to connect with the rich heritage of the land, and celebrate all that nature has to offer with music, art, talks and debate. Over the last six years the festival has exceeded our expectations and we are grateful to all of those people who have made it such a success. This year’s festival was a wonderful opportunity to gather in the midst of turbulent times, where we saw the hills of Feanedock come alive with artists, community groups, musicians, creators and thinkers. We would like to thank each of you for offering your time, energy and enthusiasm to the festival and in celebrating what the National Forest means to you. Going forward, a joint decision has been made that Timber 2024 will be the final year of the festival. Rising costs in producing Timber, coupled with a cost of living crisis have made it increasingly hard to make the festival financially sustainable in the longer term. We are truly grateful to our many partners, communities and funders who have given their time and unending support to this inspiring project, without which it wouldn’t have been possible. While this marks the end of Timber festival, we are incredibly excited about the future and the projects already underway. We will soon be releasing the first Arts & Creativity Strategy for the National Forest, along with the next round of Arts Grants, which will continue to support new creative ideas that connect people with the Forest. Our recently launched Heart of the National Forest vision seeks to deepen the links between art, nature and people, and we’re excited to see all the creativity and collaboration that will emerge from this too. The National Forest has always been about communities and partners coming together to make things happen. While this chapter ends, a new seed is sown, inspired by the spirit of Timber, and we hope you’ll continue to be part of this journey.

🎉 We’re proud to announce the launch of the Heart of the National Forest Vision, an ambitious and transformative plan designed to create a sustainable and thriving 10-square-mile destination in the centre of the National Forest. 💚 This visionary project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of the National Forest, reflecting over 30 years of dedication and progress.🌳 Working in collaboration with North West Leicestershire District Council, Leicestershire County Council, Forestry England, local businesses, tourist attractions, and community groups, the Heart of the National Forest Vision builds upon this success with a renewed focus on sustainability, wellbeing, and community engagement. Find out more the Vision, here: https://bit.ly/4d6fbQE

🌳✨ We’re thrilled to announce a special partnership between the National Forest and BBC Leicester's Make a Difference Awards! 🌟 This year, we're celebrating the incredible efforts of the award winners by planting eight trees at Conkers Outdoors Attraction, Education, Corporate & Events Venue Visit Conkersin the heart of the National Forest. These trees will form the BBC Leicester Make a Difference Wood, symbolising the eight award categories and representing the resilience, dedication, and community spirit of the winners. This living tribute not only honours those who’ve made a positive impact in their communities but also highlights our shared commitment to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future. 🌿💚

On #InternationalDayOfCharity, we’d like to celebrate our incredible colleagues, volunteers, and you, our supporters, who all make it possible to do what we do. 🌳 Whether you donate, give up your time to volunteer or join us at one of our tree planting events, we really appreciate your support in helping us to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone. 💚 Find out how you can get involved here: https://bit.ly/4fqxt1q

Calling all innovators and operators of sustainable tourist accommodation! 🌳🛖 The National Forest is seeking visionary partners to help create a ground-breaking sustainable tourism destination across 200 square miles of the National Forest. We invite operators, developers, investors, designers, and manufacturers specialising in sustainable tourist accommodation to join our early market engagement exercise. This initiative aims to create a range of low-impact accommodation options—such as cabins, lodges, and tree houses—that align with our 25-year vision for nature, well-being, and net-zero emissions. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3XrznI9

Are you passionate about connecting people and nature? 🌳 We’re seeking a project administrator to join our team in supporting the development of the Midlands Forest Network project. From managing budgets to organising meetings and events, you’ll help to coordinate the growing network of stakeholders and be part of a growing and inspiring project. 👉 Find out more: https://bit.ly/3YRKDyC

Celebrating our latest milestone! 🎉 Following three decades of environmental regeneration, we’re proud to announce we’ve reached 25% forest cover, showcasing the power of collective efforts in green growth.🌳 This milestone shows how trees can act as the catalyst for transformation, and that it really is possible for housing, industry, and biodiversity to grow side by side. 💚 We would like to thank our landowners, farmers, businesses, and local communities who have helped us to achieve this target. Your continuing support is invaluable as we continue to grow the Forest and work towards our next goal of 10 million trees. 🙏 Read more: https://bit.ly/4fJ6Yo7