The New Forest Heritage Centre receives a grant to connect children with the nature and biodiversity of the New Forest

Forest Futures: Habitats and Hope

The New Forest Heritage Trust is delighted to announce that is has been awarded a generous grant from South East Museum Development for ‘The Wild Escape’ scheme.

The Wild Escape is an opportunity for the next generation to explore the subjects of biodiversity and the environment through the power of art and imagination; the scheme is made possible by lead support from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants, with additional support from Art Fund. The grant will enable the New Forest Heritage Trust to develop a creative project for primary schools which will inspire and educate pupils about the wildlife of the New Forest.

The project, Forest Futures: Habitats and Hope, will enable children to explore the biodiversity of the New Forest. Part of the session will be in partnership with the New Forest National Park Authority, where children will make visits into the Forest to investigate native creatures and their habitats. In additional creative sessions held at the New Forest Heritage Centre, children will work with an artist to take inspiration from the New Forest Embroidery and to create a collaborative artwork which will provide a future vision of the Forest and its creatures.

Hannah Eastwood, Head of Learning for the New Forest Heritage Trust, said, “I’m thrilled that we have been successful in our application and this is a wonderful offer for schools looking to connect their science or art curriculum projects to something creative and meaningful. We look forward to seeing where the pupils’ imaginations take them, with the end result to be something for display on Earth Day (Saturday 22nd April).”

The New Forest Heritage Centre will begin its creative sessions with schools in January 2023 and the collaborative artwork will be unveiled in a celebration day to coincide with Earth Day on 22nd April 2023. More details about this event will be published on www.newforestheritage.org.uk

For more details, please contact the New Forest Heritage Centre:
Email: office@newforestheritage.org.uk
Telephone: 023 8028 3444
Website: https://www.newforestheritage.org.uk/

  • The New Forest Embroidery is a unique piece of historical art and is located along the Upper Gallery of the Museum at the New Forest Heritage Centre. It is over 6m long.
  • The Embroidery highlights the most important events in the Forest’s history together with a wide range of local flora and fauna.