Forest Rising
Forest Rising is a 9-month programme for 16-28 year olds, offering a platform for younger people to be heard and get involved in local action, to influence and inform the creation and running of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.
It will give space for young people to develop ideas, to design woodland habitats and activity they want to see; to sit at the table with decision makers and to implement their ideas in relation to nature recovery, where they live.
Forest Rising is a part of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, an ambitious project that will see thousands of new trees planted in South and West Devon and Dartmoor over the next few years. By ‘forest’ we mean all the trees planted in the whole of this area combined. In reality the Community Forest is a patchwork of connected woodlands, anything from small urban parks and green spaces, to larger rural planting projects.
What is included?
The free programme will include:
- 4 workshops with a focus on sharing, inspiration, learning, and action
- Sharing your interests and ideas with a supportive community
- Hearing from inspiring youth and environmental leaders
- Learning about woodland creation and management
- Taking practical action to design woodlands and local projects
- Decide a set of recommendations to put to the community forest team
- A final event to bring everyone together in July
All workshops will be a safe and open space, that offer inspiration, education, and practical activities. We’ll even throw in food and drink at each workshop!
Workshop programme – where and when
Plymouth dates and times:
- Workshop 1 – Wed 19th April, 5.30 – 7.30, Devonport Guildhall
- Workshop 2 – Wed 26th April, 5.30 – 7.30, Saltram House, Plympton
- Workshop 3 – Wed 3rd May, 5.30 – 7.30, Devonport Guildhall
- Workshop 4 – Wed 10 May, 5.30 – 7.30, Devonport Guildhall
- Grand finale! – Jul, location and timings to be confirmed
South Devon dates and times:
- Workshop 1 – Wed 17th May, 5.30 – 7.30, Town Hall, Ivybridge
- Workshop 2 – Wed 24th May, 5.30 – 7.30, Town Hall, Ivybridge
- Workshop 3 – Wed 7th June, 5.30 – 7.30, Ivybridge, Filham (TBC)
- Workshop 4 – Wed 14th June, 5.30 – 7.30, Town Hall, Ivybridge
- Grand finale! – 15th July, 10am-4pm, Hillyfield Woodland Farm, South Brent.
West Devon/ Dartmoor dates and times:
We are now inviting young people from Dartmoor and West Devon to join the community. We are hosting an online workshop on 28th June, 5.30-7.30, to talk to you about the Community Forest project and understand your views, ideas and recommendations.
The finale event will see all participants come together on July 15th at Hillyfield Woodland Farm, South Brent.
Sign up below.
Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest
Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest is an ambitious project that will see thousands of new trees planted, stretching from the heart of Plymouth to the Avon Valley in the South Hams, encompassing West Devon, Dartmoor and over 1,900 hectares of land to form a mosaic of different forest habitats.
Unlike traditional forests, community forests aren’t geographically restricted to one place. Instead, they are a spread out across a mix of community woodland, private woodland, on street, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows. It is envisaged that by connecting the rich ecosystems and habitats of Dartmoor and the wider South Devon area and bringing them into the city we can improve our connection to, and enjoyment of nature for future generations.
It aims to increase equity and access to woodlands, offer training and employment opportunities, and pioneer an enterprising approach to woodland culture in the long term. Learn more about the Community Forest here.
The Community Forest is a partnership between Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Councils, The National Trust and Woodland Trust. It is funded by the Department for Environment and Food and Rural Affairs.
