Headline Facts & Figures

Print Page

Main Content

Headline Facts & Figures - March 2008

Over 7 million trees planted.
Wooded cover increased from initial 6% to nearly 18% . The aim is for around a third cover at the completion of planting, so we are halfway to that aim!

More than half of all new woodland planting was delivered via the National Forest Tender Scheme that operated between 1995 to 2006.
87% of tree planting has been broadleaf and 13% conifer.
14% (over 700 ha) of planting since 1995 has been on derelict and mineral worked land.

c130,000 people have participated in Forest-related events over the 13 year period.
Over 5,600 people have been involved in 'plantatree' events since 2001.
c268,000 children have enjoyed environmental education sessions at Rosliston Forestry Centre since 1997 and Conkers from 2001.
Over 40 new sport and recreation facilities have been created including fishing, mountain biking, orienteering, carriage driving, cross country horseriding and sledging.
86km of new cycleways have been created, including 60km of Sustrans routes.

Nearly 20,000 workdays have been arranged in the Forest since 1997 by British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Major restoration has been undertaken at Moira Furnace and Grace Dieu Priory and 2km of the Ashby Canal has been re-watered.
The three year, Heritage Lottery funded, LANDshapes project was successfully implemented between 2003 – 2006. Achievements included the publication of 'The National Forest: Heritage in the Making' book and the creation of six 'noon column' sculptures by internationally renowned sculptor David Nash.

Since 1995, 1,485ha of habitats have been created or brought back into management.
51 Miles (82km) of new hedgerows have been planted and 57 miles (91km) of existing hedgerows have been brought back into management.

Progress to date includes:

102 new bluebell sites created
127 black poplar sites created
482 boxes installed for noctule bats
155 boxes installed for redstarts
17 new otter holts
26 barn owl boxes installed
5 adder hibernacula created
2 water vole sites enhanced
194 field ponds, scrapes created/brought into management for ruddy darter dragonfly

c£62m has been invested in woodland creation and other Forest-related projects since 1995.
An award winning youth hostel was opened in the Forest in 2007, to high environmental specification.
Over 20 new tourism attractions have opened, including the £16m Conkers which opened in 2001, attracting 200,000 – 250,000 visitors a year.
Over 250 jobs have been created/safeguarded through forestry, farm diversification to forest uses and woodland businesses since 1995.