About

Black to Green is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve and enhance the industrial heritage and natural history within the Heart of the Forest. This is an area of roughly 10 square miles across North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire. The Heart of the Forest has seen the most significant increase in tree coverage over the last 25 years, with woodland cover increasing from 1% to 27%.  It is an exceptional story of rapid change from 19th century deep coal and open cast mining, clay extraction and associated industrial activity, to a 21st century sustainable landscape led by the creation of The National Forest.

Black to Green focuses upon telling this story of the extraordinary landscape change, celebrating the areas rich industrial past, whilst providing opportunities to learn about and appreciate the local wildlife. Through a 3 year programme of volunteering, training, events and interpretation, the project seeks to reconnect with this new landscape whilst conserving its past.

Black to Green is delivered through a partnership between the National Forest Company and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Heart of the Forest Forum.