Growing

Growing

Achieving net zero for carbon is vital to our climate change response and to put the Forest at the heart of economic prosperity. This is helping to harness the economic opportunities provided by our woodlands through growing key sectors including contracting and land-based enterprises, low carbon technologies, leisure and tourism, and the creative industries. Greening the economy also has the wider benefit of improving the quality of the place, providing an uplift in house prices and quality of life.

Our aims

stats icon
Net zero
carbon by 2045
How we're growing the Forest

We support business development that is aligned to the National Forest through grants, advice, partnerships and support. This includes a sustainable tourism programme, collaboration on carbon reduction and storage, facilitating local procurement and a circular economy. Our work in this area also includes wider strategic development such as the masterplanning of the heart of the National Forest and refresh of the Conkers Discovery Centre.

Grants and advice
feature-image

What has been achieved so far

stats icon
Carbon baseline
under development
Supporting sustainable tourism here

We are empowering and guiding tourism in the National Forest to embrace sustainability. That's not just about creating woodlands to explore, but also ensuring that businesses operating here are supporting our environment, creating inclusive spaces and providing access to nature. As part of this work, we have developed a design guide for sustainable tourism accommodation and are providing grants to promote sustainable tourism activities. 

Sustainable tourism guidance
feature-image
Heart of the Forest

10 square miles at the heart of the National Forest has seen the biggest landscape change over the last 30 years. We have developed a vision for this area, setting out how we will work with others and the outcomes we want to achieve. We have identified three investment priorities that focus on place, experience and enterprise, as well as plans to unlock opportunities across priority investment sites.

 

Read the strategy
feature-image

How you can help

There are many ways to help grow and support economy in the National Forest. From making a donation to our work to becoming a corporate partner. 

Become a corporate partner

If you're an organisation and would like to make a difference, join our network of like-minded businesses who want to help grow a more sustainable future together.

Make a donation

Help us continue to grow the Forest and empower innovation by making a donation towards our work.