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The Heart of England Forest is a charitable entity based in England, dedicated to the conservation and ecological restoration of native woodlands primarily within the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire. This initiative aims to address the loss of ancient woodlands and habitats, a significant environmental concern in the region historically covered by the vast Forest of Arden, which has been substantially diminished due to extensive deforestation activities over the centuries.
| Heart of England Forest | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Forest |
| Location | Warwickshire, England |
| Nearest city | Bidford on Avon |
| Coordinates | 52°09′19″N 1°48′50″W / 52.1553°N 1.8139°W |
| Area | 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres)[1] |
| Created | 2003 |
| Designer | Felix Dennis |
| Operated by | The Heart of England Forest Ltd. |
| Website | heartofenglandforest |
Since its inception, the Heart of England Forest has embarked on ambitious reforestation efforts, successfully planting over 2 million trees. This endeavour not only focuses on increasing tree coverage but also helps to restore a variety of native woodland types, ensuring biodiversity and ecological resilience. In addition to reforestation, the charity actively works on conserving existing ancient woodland sites to preserve their biodiversity and historical significance.
The restoration projects undertaken by the Heart of England Forest are not limited to woodland areas alone; they encompass a broader ecological scope that includes the rejuvenation of wetland and grassland habitats. These efforts are crucial for the recovery of ecosystems that provide vital services and habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.[2]
Founding
editThe inception of the Heart of England Forest can be traced back to the vision of Felix Dennis, a local landowner with a desire to reintegrate native woodland into the local landscape of Warwickshire. Dennis's goal was to establish a contiguous forest that would not only serve as essential green corridors for wildlife but also offer a serene and inviting space for public enjoyment and recreation.
The foundation of the Forest was laid in 1996 when Dennis planted the first trees near his Dorsington home. This act marked the beginning of an extensive afforestation effort that would grow to encompass a significant portion of the region. The initiative gained formal structure with the establishment of a dedicated charity in 2003, aimed at furthering the forestation activities and ensuring the continuity of Dennis's vision. A landmark achievement was reached in 2013 with the planting of the one millionth tree, a testament to the project's scale and impact.[3]
Following Felix Dennis's death in 2014, the stewardship of the Forest continued under the guidance of the charity, with his vision remaining a central guiding principle. The Forest has since expanded to cover more than 7,000 acres (28 km2) featuring a rich tapestry of habitats. This expanse includes 4,658 acres (18.85 km2) of newly established woodland alongside over 600 acres (2.4 km2) of precious, mature, and ancient woodland, preserving a vital part of the region's natural heritage.
In 2022, the Heart of England Forest reached another significant milestone with the planting of the 2 millionth tree, underscoring the ongoing commitment to Dennis's original vision of ecological restoration and conservation. The Heart of England Forest can be seen as a living legacy to its founder, it has followed his vision by creating a forest, which now serves as a haven for both wildlife and people.
Mission
editThe charity does not only preserve the Forest, they are also focused on education. The Forest serves as an outdoor classroom for local schools, offering educational programs designed to teach children about the importance of forests, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation. Students are able to learn hands-on, they are taught about the forest's natural environment and the importance of preservation. The goal of this project is to encourage students to continue preservation efforts. In this way the Forest serves as an example for possible future reforestation efforts.[2]
Wildlife
editThe Heart of England Forest is a home to many species of wildlife. It's exemplary to the success of the conservation efforts and the biodiversity of the restored habitats.
- Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)
- Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus): A species of newt, protected in the UK. They serve as a bioindicator.
- Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
- Barn Owl (Tyto alba): Conservation efforts ensure nesting sites and adequate food for this species.
- Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
- Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)[citation needed]
Tree Planting
editThe Heart of England Forest charity has planed 120,000 native broadleaf trees in November 2022 and March 2023. Their goal is to reach a forest spanning 30,000 acres (120 km2). Trees are planted by volunteers from November to March. [4]
- English Oak (Quercus robur)
- Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea)
- Birch (Betula)
- Hazel (Corylus avellana)
- Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
- Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
- Field Maple (Acer campestre)[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "2020-21 impact report" (PDF). Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Charity Commission For England And Wales". Register Of Charities.
- ^ "Our Founder". Heart Of England Forest.
- ^ "Tree planting | Heart of England Forest". heartofenglandforest.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Trees | Heart of England Forest". heartofenglandforest.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.