Watling Chase Community Forest
Where is Watling Chase?
Watling Chase Community Forest is an area of 72 square miles (188 square kilometres) in south Hertfordshire and north London around the towns of Potters Bar, St Albans, Bushey, Borehamwood and Barnet. View a map of the area.
What is Watling Chase?
Watling Chase was set up in 1991 and is one of 12 Community Forests in England. Forests consist of a mixture of farmland, meadows, wildlife areas, hedgerows and woodland as well as public open space and the urban fringe. The Vision for Watling Chase, described in the Forest Plan, is to see much of the area under the positive and appropriate management by 2025. This will include a substantial increase in trees and woodland, achieved through management of existing woodlands and new planting.Why do we need Community Forests?
England's Community Forests are regenerating and revitalising the countryside and greenspace in and around our major urban areas. They are improving the environment, assisting economic growth and enhancing people's health, well being and quality of life.
Watling Chase is one of England's Community Forests, a national partnership that is regenerating and revitalising the greenspace in and around some of our major towns and cities, creating well-wooded environments for work, wildlife, recreation and education.
Together, the twelve Community Forests are helping to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of over half of England's population.
England's Community Forests are sponsored by The Forestry Commission and The Countryside Agency and work with 58 local authorities and a wide range of public, private, voluntary and community partners to create better places and more sustainable communities. You can find out more about England's Community Forest's here: www.communityforest.org.uk