Help Bring Sussex's ‘Enchanting Forest’ to Life

Aim: Support ‘Enchanting Forest’: A Celebration of Sussex's Nature, Culture and Community whilst Planting Trees for Future Generations

We, Forests Without Frontiers (FWF), plant trees and protect ecosystems across the UK and Europe for future generations, with deep roots in Sussex, our home base. Since 2019, we’ve planted over 180,000 trees, weaving together nature, music and the arts.

Now we’re inviting you to help us bring to life our most ambitious project yet:

ENCHANTING FOREST (2025)

A multi-sensory journey through the ancient landscapes of Sussex, blending:

• A music album recorded in nature, featuring a sonic range from forest soundscapes to electronic music
• A short film and photography series
• Live events and storytelling
• Performances by a multigenerational choir led by Sophia Efthimiou
• Engage diverse communities through creative workshops whilst continuing our tree planting/tending events, supporting our collective social, mental, and environmental health.

Developed in collaboration with local musicians, conservationists, folklorists, visual artists, poets and academics, Enchanting Forest will celebrate the natural beauty and deep heritage of Sussex - while highlighting the environmental threats it faces and the solutions we can co-create, like supporting the creation of a continuous wildlife corridor (Weald to Waves).

We’re part-funded by Arts Council England, and we’re now seeking £20,000 to:

• Logistically coordinate and record our multigenerational choir
• Engage more visual artists, tree planters and creatives from local communities
• Feature key Sussex sites: Kingley Vale, Lewes, Long Man of Wilmington, Sussex Kelp Forest, and the Weald to Waves corridor
• Host tree planting and tending events for the wider community to join in
• Launch Enchanting Forest at the Attenborough Centre (University of Sussex) in late 2025

Content for Enchanting Forest will be gathered at landscapes and seascapes including at FWF community tree-planting and tending events in Sussex. 

The project nurtures healthy ecosystems, thriving communities, and a shared sense of purpose in addressing our climate challenges. It plants trees, but also plants ideas and relationships that take root and grow as part of long-term efforts to protect nature and climate. Celebrating and protecting ecological and cultural heritage together, Enchanting Forest offers a replicable model for holistic climate resilience in other UK counties.

💚 Any proceeds will support reforestation, rewilding, creating biodiversity corridors, sequestering carbon, other environmental arts and education projects through Forests Without Frontiers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP IN THREE SIMPLE WAYS:

1. Make a donation

Every pledge makes a difference and takes us closer to our goal! Early support helps build momentum and inspire others to give too. Check out our exciting rewards for pledges, ranging from art-print postcards to a day of songwriting with award-winning music producer Guy Chambers in his Sussex studio!

2. Spread the word

Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed and can bring Enchanting Forest to life and plant more trees.

3. Volunteer with us 

If you’d like to get involved with our work, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the ‘Contact’ section using the subject "I want to volunteer my time or expertise" on our project page.

REWARD OVERVIEW

£20 - Join a tree-tending day in Sussex on 10 July, with talks, forest walks, lunch, music and more (including transport option). £20 for individuals, suggested £50pp for businesses.

£30 - Set of 7 postcards from our artist ambassadors who donated nature-inspired artwork in this limited edition set for FWF. Artists include: Stanley Donwood, Jasper Goodall, Henrik Simonsen, Andrew Gifford, Dee Ferris, Solange Leon and Clara Wilkinson.

£50 - Exclusive PLC x FWF T-Shirts (Short-sleeve sizes XS -XXL) 100% Organic Cotton. Includes Postage.

£15 or more - Digital release of 'Enchanting Forest' album recorded in Sussex landscape. (Artwork by Jen O'Brien)

£100 - 8 places available for a walk through scenic Sussex with author, TV presenter and Anglican priest Rev. Peter Owen Jones.

£200 - a family ticket to the wonderful Into the Wild Festival in Sussex (22-25 August).

£300 - triptych -  'Climb Trees - How the Forest Thinks’. Limited edition artwork by Solange Leon and Niall Hollaert. Only 4 out of 6 left. Printed by Vaughan Williams.

£500 - Vane Necklace. Unique Jewellery designed  by John Moore.

£1000 - Join legendary British songwriter and multi-award winning producer Guy Chambers for a day of songwriting at his beautiful Sussex studio. This is a rare chance to explore lyrics, melody and the creative process with one of the UK's most influential music creators, drawing on stories and insights from his iconic career.

JOIN US AND BE A VOICE OF THE FOREST.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 

Follow our socials to get an update on the project as it comes to life. 

This project successfully funded on 25th June 2025