The Forest of Dean District spans 203sq miles from Sedbury to Hartpury and has historically been labelled as a park, but the Forest of Dean is more than this. With over 4000's businesses paying business rates and some of the biggest names in their respective industries calling the Forest of Dean home, it's clear that the Forest of Dean has not strayed far from its industrial roots. Balance between man and nature is key to a sustainable future for those who live, work and play within the District’s boundaries. In 2019, The Forest of Dean District Council became the first rural council within the UK to declare a climate change emergency followed by a biodiversity emergency in 2020. With a goal for the District to be net-zero by 2030. But how do we achieve balance? In 2019, FEP were presented with the questions "what if the Forest of Dean became a Biosphere Reserve?"

Latest episodes of the podcast The Forest We Want

• The Forest We Want - Episode 1