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Conkers Discovery Centre at Moira in the heart of the National Forest

The National Forest, is an area of 520 km² (200 square miles) of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, in England. It stretches from the outskirts of Leicester in the east to Burton upon Trent and beyond in the west, and links the ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood.

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National Forest Company

The National Forest Company is a private company aiming to convert one third of the land within the boundaries of the National Forest (135 km², 33,000 acres) to woodland, by persuading landowners to alter their land use. It is described as "a forest in the making" and it is hoped to increase tourism and forestry-related jobs in the area. By 2007, over 7 million trees had been planted, increasing the tree cover from 6% to 17%.1

Planting

Planting of the forest began in 1990, with over seven million trees being planted as of November 2006.2 The National Forest Company aims to plant in the region of 20 million trees over the next 30 - 40 years, eventually covering one third of the land area in the National Forest.

The aim is to have a split of 60% broadleaf and 40% conifer trees. Some of the most commonly planted species are: English oak, ash, poplar, corsican and scots pine.3

The transformation of the landscape is beginning to take effect as the first tiny whips to be planted in the early 90s are growing into substantial trees. Eventually it will be a mosaic of woodland, open spaces, agricultural farm land, villages and towns.

Attractions within The National Forest

Falconry at Rosliston Visitor Centre
  • At the centre of the National Forest, is Conkers, a visitor centre located just outside the village of Moira, Leicestershire.
  • There is also a visitor centre with wildlife walks and playgrounds at Rosliston.

A number of other tourist attractions lie within the National Forest area including the medieval castle at Ashby de la Zouch, the nature reserve at Foremark Reservoir, the stately home of Calke Abbey, Staunton Harold Reservoir and the 19th century blast Furnace at Moira.

As well as Ashby de la Zouch, the towns of Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote and Coalville are also located within the forest area.

References

  1. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20080212205720/http://www.nationalforest.org/grow_for/, The National Forest, The Growing Forest - summary of achievements as of 2006 with links to maps comparing woodland cover in 1991 and 2006.
  2. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20080213104458/http://www.nationalforest.org/newsroom/press/2006/112406.html, The National Forest, Press Releases 2006.
  3. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20080209181222/http://www.nationalforest.org/faq/trees.html, The National Forest, Frequently Asked Questions.

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