Young people are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Some, especially those in deprived or urban areas, have few opportunities to develop a love and understanding of the environment, and their physical and mental wellbeing is affected. We believe that in order for the next generation to care for the environment we must foster a close personal relationship with the natural world – and that this must start at a young age.

We aim to increase the number of Forest Schools in areas of the country where there are few or no Forest Schools. Forest School is a concept that can be adopted by any educational establishment. It is not government-funded. Young people are offered regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. A Forest School site can be a wild area within school grounds, or in a local woodland.