Forest Holidays is proud to re-launch National Parks future

Forest news

19/05/22

Forest Holidays and National Parks are both passionate about encouraging young people to connect with the outdoor world.

We know that the need for young people to spend time in green spaces is greater than ever. Since its launch in 2019, National Parks Futures, in partnership with Forest Holidays, has connected over 8,500 young people with nature through flagship projects and a UK Travel Fund.

Cat Hawkins, Chair, National Parks Partnerships:

“Connecting young people with nature takes time, expertise and funding. Forest Holidays’ long-term commitment to ‘National Parks Futures’ is enabling thousands of young people to experience learning in amazing natural settings. Forest Holidays share our ambition to improve lives through connecting to nature, and thanks to them, ‘National Parks Futures’ is helping to inspire the next generation to love and care for our precious landscapes.”

Our work in 2022

We're excited to relaunch National Parks Futures in 2022. We excited to launch three new projects in Northumberland, New Forest and Peak District National Parks.

The ‘Wild connections youth project’ runs in the New Forest and aims to allow young people experiences in wild spaces. We’ll be providing the support needed for visits to the New Forest National Park, many will be visiting for the first time. Youth projects include taking part in citizen science, trying out nature photography or geocaching, cycling or visiting coastal habitats.

The Peak District National Park are piloting ‘Family Nature Connect Volunteering’. The pilot is delivering a family volunteering programme linking with the John Muir Award. Families are targeted from urban communities around the National Park, with the hope they will learn new skills, connect with nature, have fun and create lasting memories.

Little Larks Forest School, within Northumberland National Park, is a monthly National Park focussed Under 5’s Forest School programme. It encourages children to connect with nature, manage their own risks, lead their own adventures and exploration of the outdoors, and build relationships with a small community of friends.

We’re looking forward to sharing updates on these projects throughout the year.

Inspiring the next generation

Our aim is to connect 20,000 young people with nature in the next five years, inspiring the next generation to care for and protect our precious green spaces and improving their well-being through time spent in nature.