ERANDA Forest Nottingham
Restoring Shepherds Woods at Beechdale Academy
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Trees
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Square Meters
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Native Species
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Youth Impacted
ERANDA Forest, Nottingham, rooted at Bluecoat Beechdale Academy in Nottingham is the first in a network of ReWild Yourself Community Hubs in the UK. Created in partnership with Voice for Nature Foundation and the Archway Trust, this community initiative has been made possible with the generous support of The ERANDA Rothschild Foundation.
Designed as the first of several pocket forests across the country, it will restore nature and strengthen community bonds in an area where access to green space is limited. The site itself carries a sense of renewal and continuity - once part of an ancient forest known as Shepherds Woods, Eranda Forest brings trees and wildlife back to a landscape where they historically thrived.
Spanning 1,000 square meters and home to 3,000 trees from 23 native species, ERANDA Forest offers a living classroom and a welcoming refuge for the Academy’s 900 students - many from families experiencing long-term unemployment and economic hardship. These biodiverse, restorative spaces aim to nurture wellbeing, creativity, and belonging, particularly for children who spend less time in nature than their peers.
This project is a catalyst for regeneration, creativity, and collective care - empowering people and nature to thrive together in the heart of Nottingham.
Forest Maker
Adrian Wong
Forest Partners
Forest Design
Planted in six sections, this forest has been designed for shared community use, with smaller, intimate areas for reflection and conversation, and two larger clearings for workshops, performances, or outdoor gatherings. Dual entrances - one from the school and another from the street - a dedicated storage area, and a central sensory path, will invite both students and neighbours to connect under the growing canopy and immerse themselves in nature.
Planting: November 2025
"The project will deliver a green legacy for all. By transforming our school grounds into a more biodiverse space, we’re nurturing wellbeing, inspiring outdoor learning and rooting our community in a deeper connection with the environment for generations to come."
- Ben Wright, Biodiversity & Sustainability Manager at the Archway Trust
We're thrilled to collaborate on this project with:
Other Forests Nearby
GROW Farm Forest
Nurturing nature at The Totteridge Academy.
Holy Trinity Brompton - Natura Nostra Forest
Paving a green path for biodiversity in Central London.
Heritage Forest
A sanctuary in the heart of London.
