Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has re-confirmed its commitment to plans for a 'Tiny Forest' in Western Park.

If it is approved, then it would be the first to be established in the National Forest.

It is the second time the project has been proposed. In December, the council's Parks & Cemetery committee was told it would not be happening as preference had given to Salford and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

But now the council has been contacted by Earthwatch with another invite to participate in a Tiny Forest project.

Earthwatch has been asked by a sponsor if an opportunity to fully fund a Tiny Forest in the Ashby area could be found.

Earthwatch is an environmental charity with citizen science at its heart. It works with councils, housing associations, corporates, schools and resident groups to reconnect communities with nature and with each other.

The Tiny Forest programme is one of its many citizen science initiatives.

Last month's meeting of the Parks & Cemetery Committee was told that Earthwatch has asked if a site of a tennis court size plot of land can be identified where a Tiny Forest could be planted.

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There would be no cost to the Town Council and Earthwatch would arrange the public planting day next winter.

Earthwatch has planted over 150 Tiny Forests and these have all been a great success with over a hundred people turning out to plant their Tiny Forest and staying engaged through Earthwatch's education and citizen science programme.

It focuses on disadvantaged areas where improving the environment for local communities is important, supporting teachers with educational training and resources as well as adult training.

Getting school children outside involved in active learning has never been more vital and the resource is very popular with schools. Earthwatch has also successfully worked with housing associations to improve outdoor and engage with residents.

The Committee confirmed the Town Council's commitment to the proposal on its 'original' planned spot at Western Park - and the principle of a public consultation of local residents.

Ian Retson, one of the Town Council's Tree Wardens, attended last month's meeting to support the project.

He said it would combine with an engagement programme to support community ownership and provide social benefits.

If approved, Mr Retson pointed out this would be the first Tiny Forest in the National Forest area.

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