Young people celebrate creating a forest in three years

In 2019, the Woodland Trust led young people and the local community on a mission to plant 250,000 trees over three years to transform a former open cast colliery site in Derbyshire into the nation’s first Young People’s Forest.

In the ensuing months and years and despite the complications posed by COVID, scores rose to the challenge by digging out their spades, getting muddy and planting native trees such as oak, beech, alder and birch. Stars such as Games of Thrones actress Bella Ramsey and former JLS star turned presenter JB Gill even joined in.

The Young People's Forest site became the centrepiece to the charity’s Big Climate Fightback – a chance for people across the country to do their bit to combat the ever-increasing threat of climate change.

The final tree was planted earlier this year at the site, close to Shipley Country Park, Heanor, where 411 people joined together for the last of many community planting days which thousands of people attended over the years. Young people will remain involved in the future for a variety of volunteering opportunities.

The site will soon bring together people for a celebration at the site - Mead Fest 22, on August 20 – a chance for people from far and wide to see what has been achieved there and learn how they can get involved.

Emily Moore, from the Woodland Trust, has led the project throughout.

She said: “The achievement by young people and the local community to create a forest in such a short space of time is nothing short of remarkable. Come rain or shine, they have got out planting up what were grassed fields. These trees will transform the biodiversity on the site and be a beacon of our fight again climate change. It will also be a place where people can enjoy exploring the site across the many paths and through the woodland for generations to come.

She added: “We are very proud to have created to the UK’s first Young People’s Forest.”

Mead Fest promises to be a wonderful event, set in green surroundings and a forest continuing to grow. There will be live music, a climbing wall, games, falconry, bungee run, archery, axe throwing, workshops, food stalls and more. Among the many activities, the festival will feature headliner Kirby Frost of ITV’s The Voice and rising star, 14-year-old guitarist Jude Forsey from Nottingham.

Jude said:

“Events like this create an opportunity for UK young artists to show what they’re capable of. I’ll be doing a variety of different music including pop-punk inspired stuff, some hip-hop and rock; taking inspiration from US artists that I like. There should be something for everybody.”

Activities will continue at Young People’s Forest into the future - more than 460 young people from 12 different schools will be getting involved in activities at the woodland.

In addition to different schools, colleges and universities, the Woodland Trust works regularly with three volunteer groups of young people. These include:

• junior rangers (10-13 years) who meet once a month to learn new skills and enjoy green spaces
• young volunteers (13-17 years) who meet every other week to carry out practical tasks ranging from tree planting to pond surveying, path creation and helping out at public events
• a Youth Forum (16-20 years) which meets every other week to work as the decision makers of the project.

Across these three groups, the Trust is working with 46 amazing young people who have contributed 664.5 hours of volunteering so far this year.

The activities at Mead Fest this year were all selected by members of the Youth Forum. There will be a chance to learn more about what all of the volunteer groups do at the event.

Meadfest runs from 10.30am to 6pm on Saturday, August 20. Prices are under 21s - £6, Adults (21+) - £10. Parking at Shipley Country Park, Slack Lane, Heanor, DE75 7GX.

Book at: https://thefixevents.com/mead-fest

Notes to editors

For more details on this release, contact Andy Bond in the Woodland Trust press office on 07725 480434.

The Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

• protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable.
• restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life.
• establish native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.