Hi everyone, I’m Laura, one of the FatFace Foundation Trustees, and on Friday 21st November I had the privilege of visiting the National Forest team in the Midlands. It was a special trip because four years ago, in partnership with the National Forest, we planted almost 60,000 trees to create Minorca Woods and I was eager to see how things have grown!
From Vision to Reality
Minorca Woods spans 20 hectares of land within the National Forest, just a few miles from the National Forest Company headquarters in Moira, Derbyshire. Back in 2019, we planted a diverse mix of species such as Aspen, Beech, Oak, Small-leaved Lime, Silver Birch, Maple, Rowan, Whitebeam, and Nordic Spruce. This wasn’t just about planting trees; it was about creating biodiversity and resilience.
Why the mix? Diseases like Ash Dieback and the growing impacts of climate change have shown us the importance of reducing species-specific risks. A varied woodland not only protects against these threats but also makes the forest more vibrant and enjoyable for everyone.
Fast forward to today, and the transformation is incredible. The trees are flourishing, from 4ft Spruces to 12ft Aspens, and they’re creating habitats for wildlife.
In fact, biodiversity in the National Forest is on the rise, bucking the UK trend where it’s generally declining.
Even in late autumn, with leaves falling and branches looking a little bare, the sense of life and progress is undeniable.
I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.
What’s Next for the National Forest?
I also caught up with John Everitt, CEO of the National Forest, and the future looks exciting:
- Ten Millionth Tree Milestone
Tree coverage has grown from 19% in 2018 to 26% today, and in March, they’ll plant their ten millionth tree! Our support for carbon projects has helped pave the way for other partnerships, inspiring more businesses to get involved. - New National Forests
The success of the Midlands National Forest has become a blueprint for rewilding industrial spaces. The government has committed £1 billion to create three new National Forests:- The Western Forest
- The Oxford-Cambridge Corridor
- A third site likely in the North or Midlands
- Outdoor Learning Programme
This initiative has taken off! Now, 95% of primary schools and 65% of secondary schools in the area use outdoor learning spaces, with teachers trained by the National Forest team. - Tree Corridors
Plans are underway to link the National Forest with Sherwood Forest and Cannock Chase, creating tree corridors that connect habitats and boost biodiversity.
