Talking trees - Chairman's Message

For us, our Forest Forum is one of the most important opportunities to get feedback on the way in which we are leading the creation of The National Forest. This last Forum, which was held in March, came at an especially important time - the beginning of the process of drawing up a new 10-year Strategy for the Forest.

It was good that Mrs Beckett, as Secretary of State and our sole shareholder, was able to be present to deliver a keynote address. What she had to say to the audience at Pride Park carried two important messages. Firstly, she acknowledged the progress made on creating the Forest and how this work contributes so comprehensively to the aims of her department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Secondly, she announced the outcome of the Department's five-year review of the National Forest Company by confirming its continuation as the mechanism for the delivery of the Forest. That was all excellent news.

Sadly, pressure on time prevented the Secretary of State from staying with us for the whole of the subsequent questions and comments session. For me it was interesting to see how different this session was to the one at the last Forest Forum, which was held in 1999. There was a very different character to the points being raised this time around.

The issues now are much more practical. They are now about managing the Forest as a resource and seeing the full range of potential benefits that The National Forest brings with it. That was both challenging - and heartening.

With the start of the review of the Forest Strategy there is a continuing opportunity for everyone to comment on the priorities for the Forest in the years ahead. Everyone has a view, our job is to listen to those views and to keep on listening.