Thirty years ago, a bold idea took root in the heart of England — to turn a landscape scarred by industrial decline into a thriving forest. Today the National Forest Company celebrates its 30th anniversary with a tribute to the people who made this vision come true.
For generations, coal mining, clay extraction, and heavy industry shaped the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire, leaving spoil heaps, derelict land, and struggling communities.
Once-green fields turned grey as nature fought to reclaim the abandoned terrain. As these industries declined in the 1980s, local communities lost both livelihoods and identity, facing economic and social challenges.
Yet, there was hope—a vision to create a 200 sq. mile National Forest, restoring and revitalising both landscapes and communities.
The goal was not only to revitalise the environment but to breathe new life into an area shaped by its industrial past. The creation of new woodlands was not just about transforming the land—it was about fostering a renewed sense of connection and purpose.
At first, the idea was met with scepticism. Could trees really help rebuild an economy? Would landowners commit to something untested? It took extraordinary vision—and remarkable individuals—to make it happen.
A defining moment came when National Forest road signs were installed before many trees had even been planted—a bold declaration that the Forest wasn’t just an idea but a reality in the making. By 1991, the Forest’s boundary had been mapped, and on April 3, 1995, the government formally established the National Forest Company to drive its creation.
Early landowners took a leap of faith, planting trees and supporting the project despite uncertainty. The team behind the Forest had to persuade and inspire, overcoming entrenched doubts. Local newspapers championed the idea, with the Leicester Mercury leading a passionate campaign. Communities got involved, and momentum grew.
From the outset, the National Forest Company set out to redefine what a forest could be. This was never about wall-to-wall trees but about creating a landscape where people and nature thrive together.
The word “forest” itself comes from an ancient concept—not just woodland, but a place where people live and work. The National Forest embraced this idea, supporting landowners while developing woodland-based enterprises, from timber production to sustainable tourism.
Communities helped shape the Forest, planting trees, managing woodlands, and celebrating the changing landscape. Schools, artists, and local groups were involved, ensuring this was a Forest created with and for people.
Accessibility was a key part of the vision. New permissive paths and walking routes were introduced, while woodland management provided income opportunities through firewood, craft materials, and eco-tourism. The National Forest Way, a 75-mile walking trail established in 2014, stretches from the National Memorial Arboretum in the west to Beacon Hill Country Park in the east, showcasing the diversity of the landscape.
More than nine-and-a-half million trees have been planted, increasing forest cover from around six per cent to over 25 per cent of the designated area – double the national average. The goal is to reach one-third forest covewr across the 200-square-mile area.
Today, the National Forest is a blueprint for sustainability, demonstrating what is possible when people and nature thrive together. Building on its success, it is leading the development of new national forests across England, sharing expertise through the Midlands Forest Network and championing woodland-based solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss, and community resilience.
What began as an ambitious idea has grown into a movement that continues to restore, revitalise, and reimagine what a forest can be.
The National Forest is more than trees; it is a legacy of renewal, resilience, and hope for the future.
