Ecotricity to support the development of the National Forest through new partnership

The National Forest has been transforming 200 square miles of central England for over 25 years, demonstrating the power of trees to transform lives, the landscape and the economy.

As part of the new relationship, Ecotricity will sponsor the National Forest’s first ever Timber festival, which takes place from 6 – 8 July 2018, a place where “music, forests, art and ideas” will come together in the heart of the National Forest.

A new signup offer has been created which will see a donation of up to £60 to the National Forest for everyone who switches their energy supply to Ecotricity (using this link).

The two organisations have also agreed to work together to explore the possibility of renewable energy at the Forest.

John Everitt, chief executive, National Forest Company, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Ecotricity, a company that shares our values to pioneer positive environmental change.

“People making the choice to sign up with Ecotricity will not only be promoting green energy, but also supporting the boldest environmental regeneration project in the country by planting trees to transform lives, the landscape and the economy.”

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said: “The National Forest is a great ambition, and part of the re-wilding of Britain that we desperately need to do, having taken so much land from wildlife and seen the massive decline of species in the last 50 years. It’s exciting to be a part of this.”

Set in a 200 square mile area of the Midlands, the National Forest was established over 25 years ago to regenerate an area of the country that was scarred by mining and had one of the lowest levels of woodland cover in the country, just 6%.

Since then, the 200 square miles of the National Forest have been transformed through the planting of more than eight and a half million trees and the creation of many other valuable habitats. Woodland cover currently stands at over 20%, compared with 10% for the country as a whole, and the overall aim is to reach one third.

At the Timber festival, visitors will be able to experience the transformative impact of forests with artists, musicians, scientists and thinkers from across the world.

Created by the National Forest Company and Wild Rumpus, award-winning producers of the Just So Festival, highlights will include a keynote address from Stuart Maconie, the English festival premiere of Jony Easterby’s new interactive performance Tree and Wood, and the greenfield festival premiere of Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon.