Children’s Forest
For children to imagine, plant and tend protected forests, creating sanctuaries for future generations of children of all species…and places for holding forest schools…
Encouraging children to plant and tend forests – forest schools
C Level and our clients have supported this Special Biocultural Project since it was just a vision in 2019. Children’s Forest now counts 23 Forests across the British Isles. Children’s Forests are protected lands, a sanctuary for the children of all species. Children will build a life long connection with these forests as they play, learn and tend them as part of their local forest schooling.
Enabling our children to experience a positive human role as caretakers and protectors. This project aims to empower our children as they navigate, either consciously or sub-consciously, growing up in a world that is under threat. It is our responsibility to offer our children hope. Human children urgently need to be given active roles to help restore the health of our ecosystems. In planting their Children’s Forest, children make a personal investment and naturally become guardians of the earth. This embodied relationship and role of guardianship will inform their actions as they grow into adults.
Land area
19 ha
Project Status
Scaling
Forests planted
23
Founding Partner & Year
Children’s Forest, 2019
Trees – total verified planting
11,400
Certification
full impact transparency on C Level’s Regeneration Hubs Platform
Project Vision
a vibrant and healthy world where trees planted now can one day become ancient forests where the children of all species can flourish, restoring relationships between people and with the earth.
Project Type
Reforestation – children and family led
Key Species
Hawthorn, Willow, Oak, Birch, Alder, Dogwood, Field Maple, Blackthorn.
How it works
The work is informed by a framework for working with children in nature that has been developed over the last 30 years and will involve 4 key phases as each Children’s Forest is established:
Experience in forests – taking children to existing forests for inspiration.
Imagination – working with children to design a local Children’s Forest project, generating ideas and plans through art, storytelling and music.
Planting – working with experienced partners to involve children in the planting days.
Tending – the ongoing seasonal rhythms over the years, keeping the children involved as the forest grows and cultivating a sense of stewardship and connection.
Children’s Forest, Micheal Hall
Children’s Forest, Roots Field (Guernsey)
What Makes This Project Special
Children’s Forest is a great example of the kind of project we and our clients are helping evolve through our Regen Hub Programme. These are small scale, early stage projects that strongly intertwine ecological and cultural regeneration. They are about beginning to find and share a deeper connection to earth and to life. Everyone can participate and see the results. Each project area is a Regeneration Hub and each Hub is made of small Regeneration Cells – each one digitally attributable and viewable over time.
Creating pockets of rewilded land
First in Britain, the project is creating a network of micro sites that act as permanent and evolving bases for local Forest Schools groups. Held in perpetuity for children and for all of nature.
Tree planting by the children
Each Children’s Forest site is planted with saplings by children from a local Forest School. Planting involves creative visioning and the children’s fire ceremony.
Forest schools
Each site will be then in permanent use as the base for the local school. These sites are essential for the growth of Forest Schools.
Experiental education and nature connection
Forest Schools exist to provide real education and life skills to children. They provide a connection and understanding that represents a fundamental cultural and educational rebalancing.
Collaborative approach
Scaling of this project depends on support from adults in many different places and organisations. Businesses are engaging through C Level’s Special Regen programme. Land owners are stepping up. The Forest Schools Association is a partner.
Responding to Challenges
- Finding land
Long-term access to suitable planting sites depends on committed land guardians, clear agreements and basic infrastructure to support safe, repeat community engagement.
- Funding
long term commitment to fund trees, facilitation, safeguarding, insurance and long-term stewardship activities.
- Community and school engagement
Projects succeed where local communities, educators and families take ownership. Building this participation takes time and trust.
- Alignment with education systems
Child-led, nature-based learning must shoehorn into formal timetables, curriculums and institutional requirements, which can restrict time in nature.
Project Documentation
For a transparent overview of the project’s progress and impact, the latest report will be available for download here.
All project media assets and impact reports are available to all partners through the dedicated Client Hub.