Tourism That Gives Back: National Forest Celebrates Businesses Helping Nature Thrive

National Forest Tourism Champions

There is something wonderfully hopeful about the story of the National Forest. 

Once shaped heavily by industry and mining, the landscape has been transformed over the past three decades into one of Britain’s great environmental success stories, and now tourism businesses are helping drive the next chapter.

This week, organisations helping build a more regenerative future for tourism were recognised as the National Forest unveiled its new Transformative Tourism Framework at Hoar Cross Hall.

The initiative is all about making tourism a force for good, not just for visitors, but for nature, local communities and the wider rural economy too.

Presented by Lady Victoria Borwick, the inaugural Champions received sustainable wooden plaques crafted from National Forest timber in recognition of the work they are already doing to create greener, healthier and more welcoming visitor experiences.

Rather than focusing on rigid accreditation schemes or perfection, the framework encourages practical progress and collaboration. It is built around five key pathways: supporting a greener economy, encouraging low-carbon travel, improving accessibility, boosting wellbeing and restoring nature.

Among those recognised for low-carbon travel was National Forest E-Bike and Walking Holidays, which encourages visitors to explore the Forest sustainably through guided cycling and walking adventures. Meanwhile, National Memorial Arboretum was praised for improving public transport access through its dedicated bus connection to Tamworth railway station.

Businesses championing sustainability in hospitality and enterprise included Tollgate Brewery, woodland skills specialists Greenwood Days and Hoar Cross Hall, which has invested in biomass energy systems.

Elsewhere, organisations such as Calke Abbey, Bradgate Park and Hicks Lodge were recognised for making outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive.

Nature and wellbeing sit at the heart of the Forest’s growing appeal. Projects including Whistlewood Common and Wild Minds are using outdoor learning, volunteering and nature connection to support mental health and community wellbeing.

Perhaps most inspiring of all is the sheer scale of the transformation.

Since the early 1990s, forest cover across the area has increased from just six per cent to more than 26 per cent. Earlier this year, the Forest celebrated the planting of its 10 millionth tree,  a remarkable milestone that highlights what long-term environmental ambition can achieve.

Today, over 8.5 million visitors explore the National Forest every year, contributing almost £620 million to the local economy while enjoying woodland walks, cycling trails, forest bathing, wildlife experiences and nature-based stas.

At a time when many destinations are asking how tourism can become more sustainable, the National Forest is showing that tourism can do far more than simply minimise harm — it can actively help restore landscapes, support biodiversity and strengthen communities.

And that feels like a future worth exploring.

To learn more and see a full list of the champions visit https://www.nationalforest.org

International Day of Forests: Why the World’s Woodlands Matter More Than Ever

Every year on 21 March, the world marks the International Day of Forests, a global reminder that forests are not simply scenic backdrops for countryside walks, but living systems that sustain life on Earth.

From the ancient woodlands of Britain to the vast canopy of the Amazon, forests quietly shape our climate, economy and wellbeing. 

Yet they are under constant pressure from deforestation, disease, pollution and climate change. This day offers a moment to pause and reflect on what forests give us and what we must do to protect them.

Why Forests Matter

Forests cover around a third of the planet’s land surface. They:

Absorb carbon dioxide and help regulate the global climate

Support 80% of terrestrial biodiversity

Protect soil and water systems

Provide livelihoods for millions of people

Offer spaces for recreation and mental restoration

In the UK, woodlands are central to our cultural and natural heritage. Think of the legendary Sherwood Forest, or the patchwork of ancient woodlands scattered across Shropshire, Wales and beyond. These places are not just tourist attractions, they are carbon stores, wildlife habitats and natural sanctuaries.

Forests and Climate Change

Forests act as the lungs of the planet. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to slow the pace of global warming. When forests are cleared or burned, that stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

The Amazon Rainforest alone plays a crucial role in global climate systems. Large-scale deforestation there has consequences far beyond South America, affecting rainfall patterns and biodiversity worldwide.

Closer to home, tree planting initiatives across the UK aim to increase woodland cover and restore degraded landscapes. However, planting new trees must go hand in hand with protecting existing ancient forests, which are irreplaceable ecosystems developed over centuries.

The Mental Health Connection

Spending time in forests has measurable benefits for mental health. A quiet woodland walk can lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure and improve mood. The Japanese practice of “forest bathing” immersing oneself mindfully in a wooded setting, has inspired similar wellbeing initiatives across Europe.

For many people, local forests became essential spaces during lockdown periods, offering fresh air, exercise and perspective.

Threats Facing Forests

Despite their value, forests face serious challenges:

Illegal logging

Agricultural expansion

Urban development

Wildfires

Invasive pests and diseases

In the UK, ash dieback disease has devastated thousands of trees, reshaping familiar landscapes and reminding us how fragile woodland ecosystems can be.

How You Can Mark the Day

International Day of Forests is not only about awareness, it is about action. You could:

Visit a local woodland and learn about native species

Support conservation charities

Reduce paper and wood waste

Choose sustainably sourced timber and products

Plant native trees in your garden or community

Even small changes in consumer habits can reduce pressure on global forest systems.

A Future Rooted in Responsibility

Forests connect climate, biodiversity, culture and wellbeing in one living network. They are ancient yet vulnerable; resilient yet dependent on human stewardship.

International Day of Forests invites us to look beyond the trees, and recognise that protecting forests means protecting ourselves.

Whether it is a walk beneath towering oaks, a commitment to sustainable choices, or supporting conservation efforts, the future of forests begins with everyday decisions.

Because when forests thrive, so do we.

https://forests.desa.un.org/events/international-day-forests-2026

World Wildlife Day: Celebrating the Natural World We All Share

Every year on 3 March, World Wildlife Day reminds us just how rich, diverse and fragile our planet truly is.

Established by the United Nations in 2013, the day celebrates the world’s wild animals and plants while raising awareness of the urgent need to protect them.

From towering elephants roaming African plains to tiny pollinators working quietly in British gardens, wildlife shapes ecosystems, cultures, and economies across the globe. Without it, our world would be unrecognisable.

Why World Wildlife Day Matters

Wildlife is not simply something we admire on documentaries. It underpins food security, clean air, fresh water and even medicine. Yet biodiversity loss is accelerating due to habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and illegal trade.

Organisations such as WWF and The Wildlife Trusts warn that many species are declining at alarming rates. In the UK alone, hedgehogs, water voles and numerous bird species have seen sharp population drops over recent decades.

World Wildlife Day encourages governments, businesses and individuals to take meaningful action, not just admire wildlife, but actively protect it.

The Global Theme

Each year, the day adopts a theme highlighting a particular aspect of conservation,from marine ecosystems to forest restoration, youth engagement or wildlife crime prevention. These themes reinforce the idea that protecting wildlife requires cooperation across borders and sectors.

After all, wildlife does not recognise political boundaries. Migratory birds, ocean mammals and pollinating insects move freely — and depend on healthy habitats wherever they land.

How We Can Make a Difference in the UK

You don’t need to trek through the Amazon to support wildlife conservation. Action at home matters.

1. Support Local Conservation

Visit nature reserves managed by groups like RSPB or your local Wildlife Trust. Membership fees directly fund habitat protection.

2. Create Wildlife-Friendly Gardens

Plant native species, leave a patch of lawn unmown, or install a small pond. Even urban balconies can become mini sanctuaries for bees and butterflies.

3. Reduce Plastic and Waste

Marine wildlife, including species studied and protected by organisations such as Marine Conservation Society, are heavily impacted by plastic pollution. Reducing single-use plastics makes a real difference.

4. Choose Ethical Products

Look for sustainably sourced timber, palm oil and seafood. Consumer choices influence global supply chains.

Wildlife and Wellbeing

Spending time in nature benefits mental health and overall wellbeing, something increasingly recognised in modern Britain. A quiet walk in a woodland, a glimpse of deer at dusk, or even the sight of garden birds feeding can restore a sense of perspective.

Wildlife enriches not only ecosystems but our everyday lives.

A Shared Responsibility

World Wildlife Day is not just about saving distant species. It is about safeguarding the intricate web of life that supports us all.

Whether it’s protecting a rainforest thousands of miles away or helping hedgehogs cross your local road safely, every small action contributes to a larger movement.

The natural world is extraordinary. World Wildlife Day invites us to celebrate it, and more importantly, to protect it for generations to come.