Onwards and Upwards

The National Forest Company’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2007 tells the story of another successful year of planting trees and Forest creation, crowned by the planting of the Forest’s 7 millionth tree, and the achievement of 17.5% woodland cover. This brings the Forest half way to the ultimate aspiration of woodland covering about a third of its 200 square miles.

Dinah Nichols, National Forest Company Chair, said: "The map of the Forest now shows a pattern of significant landscape change with woodlands becoming increasingly interconnected. This brings twofold benefits – visitors to the Forest have an increasing range and variety of walks to enjoy and, thanks to careful design, biodiversity is also improving."

The Report highlights the wider economic and social impact of the Forest now that it is maturing, and a key theme for the Company has been to focus increasingly on drawing more people into the many opportunities the Forest presents. Tree planting, arts and education programmes have been well supported over the year covered by the Report, as illustrated by nearly 38,000 children enjoying environmental education visits to the Forest.

The opening of the new Youth Hostel later this year and the increasingly visible Visitor Infrastructure Project, which is improving information and access at key entry points to the Forest, both indicate the Forest’s coming of age as a significant place to visit. As the Report details, the work of the National Forest Company in creating the Forest is underpinned by funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with significant support also coming from the Forestry Commission, emda, Leicestershire County Council plus District Councils, business sponsors and other partners including the Heart of the National Forest Foundation.

The report is available at: http://www.nationalforest.org/about_us/rep2007/