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The National Forest: Headline Facts and Figures - May 2012

Almost 8 million trees have been planted since 1995.
Forest cover has increased from an initial 6% to 19.1%. The aim is for around a third cover at the completion of planting, so we are more than halfway to that aim!
6,580ha of new Forest creation have been secured since 1995.
In 20121/2012, 154ha of creation were added to the total area of Forest.

Planting is achieved through a range of mechanisms, especially through private landowners; 235ha of new Forest creation has been secured to date through the Changing Landscapes Scheme introduced in 2008.
22% of all Forest creation has been achieved through the planning system.
87% of trees planted have been broadleaf species and 13% conifer.
80% of the total Forest creation achieved has open public access and a further 6% of sites have access planned (86% in total).

Since 1995, over 1,970ha of habitats important for wildlife have been created or brought back into management.
94km (58.4 miles) of new hedgerows have been planted and over 150 new wildlife ponds have been created.

Between 1995 and 2011, c208,000 people have participated in Forest-related events.
Nearly 9,000 people have been involved in Plant a Tree events since 2001.
c375,000 children have enjoyed environmental education sessions at Rosliston Forestry Centre since 1997 and Conkers from 2001.
Over 45 new sport and recreation facilities have been created including fishing, mountain biking, orienteering, carriage driving, cross country horseriding and sledging.
102km of new cycleways have been created, including 60km of Sustrans routes and 16km of trails at the new Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre.

Since 1997, over 22,000 workdays have been arranged in the Forest by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

The Forest has already provided a positive net public benefit of c£140m and is set to create long term benefits of around £700m when the Forest is completed.
Since 1995, c£167m has been invested in Forest-related and regeneration projects and programmes.
333 jobs have been created/safeguarded through forestry, farm diversification to forest uses and woodland businesses since 1990.
Tourism is worth £298m pa (£272m in 2003).
There were 7.8 million visitors to The National Forest in 2010 and 4,322 tourism related jobs.
Since 2003 £853,000 has been raised from business sponsorship and donations from the public.
There have been six woodfuel installations in the Forest area.