We are proud to say that for many years Poetry has been supporting one of the boldest environmentally-led regeneration initiatives in the country: The National Forest.
Supporting The National Forest
We are proud to say that for many years Poetry has been supporting one of the boldest environmentally-led regeneration initiatives in the country: The National Forest.
Located near to Poetry’s warehouse, the National Forest works to create a wildlife-rich environment, essential for a healthy economy and a healthy society. We are delighted that with the help of our donations, the National Forest is planting trees, creating new woodlands, managing wildlife habitats and supporting people and businesses to enjoy and benefit from this new wooded landscape.
REGENERATION OF OLD MINING LAND
The idea for the National Forest was born in the late 1980s as a campaign by local communities to regenerate their local area. What started as a simple vision is now recognised as one of the most ambitious and imaginative regeneration projects in the country.
The National Forest is located in the very middle of England, 200 square miles spanning across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. When the project started, this was one of the least wooded areas in the country. Damaged by mining and other heavy industry, the landscape and communities were in need of revitalisation. The vision was to create woodlands on doorsteps, connecting the old remnant forests of Charnwood and Needwood.
Since then, a total of 9.5 million trees have been planted and it is these trees that have been the catalyst for a change. Forest cover has increased from 6% to over 22% – more than twice the national average – and 8,000 hectares of new habitats have been transformed. The National Forest is a ‘forest’ in the old sense of the word: not wall-to-wall trees but a distinctly wooded landscape that provides a setting within which people live, work and learn. All in the space of just 30 years.
THE FUTURE OF WOODLANDS
Nowadays the National Forest is still planting trees (200 of them every year on behalf of Poetry), but perhaps even more important is the work dedicated to ensuring the future success and accessibility of these woodlands by engaging with the wider community.
Over 80% of the National Forest has public access and has around 320km of marked walks. National Forest is creating a woodland culture and economy by supporting and organising initiatives like outdoor education programmes, community volunteering groups and low-carbon economy projects. They are also working with landowners and supporting them with sustainable woodland management or the development of green tourism. A significant achievement is that 78% of primary schools in the Forest now provide regular outdoor learning. The resilient forest culture will help the towns and communities to adapt to the future challenges of climate change by providing clean air, improved water quality, a reduction in flooding and shelter from temperature extremes.
POETRY ‘FOREST DAY’
In the spirit of connection to nature, the Poetry team took the time off and dedicated a day to learning about forestry and woodland management.
The people who are excellent at helping our customers to find the right size or perfectly pack our customers’ orders tried their hand at tree felling (as part of necessary woodland clearing), making environmentally-friendly charcoal or other forestry tasks- making Poetry team part of the positive change.
Learn more about the National Forest’s initiatives at nationalforest.org