The National Forest

• Company Information

• The Strategy
• Background
• Foreword by Ben Bradshaw

Foreword by Ben Bradshaw

In the ten years since the first Strategy was produced for the creation of The National Forest, we have moved from an exciting, ambitious and highly innovative concept to a great new Forest in the making. The Forest is quite literally taking shape and transforming the physical, social and economic landscape of a great swathe of central England.

The National Forest has been described as a symbol of hope for the nation. It is also very much a child of its time. It is a manifestation of a growing awareness of our duty of care for our environment, our need to cherish it and desire to pass it on undamaged, or even enhanced, to future generations. Furthermore the restoration and glorification of the landscape is intertwined with the regeneration of the area's economy and the enrichment of the lives and well-being of its residents and growing numbers of visitors. Thus the Forest is also a living, practical example of that much sought-after but elusive concept - sustainable development.

At the heart of this whole great enterprise lies an ever-widening network of partnerships and supporters all actively engaged in bringing about the transformation. Spearheading and orchestrating this hive of activity is the National Forest Company established by Government in 1995 and now proudly sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

This new Strategy, covering the next ten years of the Forest's development, builds on the successes of the early years, learns from the experience so far and faces the future with confidence and determination. Inclusivity and partnership lie at the philosophical heart of the Forest and its Strategy. In this spirit I wish it well and look forward to the continuing burgeoning of this inspiring Forest for the nation.

Ben Bradshaw MP
Minister for Nature Conservation and Fisheries, 2004.