Nature, Community and Culture

Aim

Fund tree planting, rewilding and environmental action in Sussex, plus tell the story of the landscape through local musicians and artists.

Enchanting Forest is Forests Without Frontier’s (FWF) latest project, driven by our guiding principles Restore, Inspire and Nurture, it follows the concept of our award-winning project Interbeing, and will be created here in Sussex. Help us reach our goal so planting can start this winter.

FWF is based in Sussex and is deeply connected to the county’s varied landscape of woodlands, hills and coast. 

We recognise, however, that much has been lost and many people feel disconnected from their surroundings, leading to poor social, mental, and environmental health. We are aware that many organisations are working hard on the ground to bring the land and wildlife back to life. 

Enchanting Forest will be a collaboration with many of these, helping to bring the human element into projects, using music and art to create connections, start conversations, raise awareness, build bridges, and celebrate Nature’s recovery.  

Enchanting Forest will tell the stories of this rich landscape, from the Downs to the sea, using music and visuals, and blending traditional English folklore with contemporary music and natural soundscapes. We will invite local musicians and artists into nature to record songs, poetry and stories inspired by Sussex and collaborate with a diverse array of people, young and old, including individuals navigating mental health challenges. 

Enchanting Forest honours a dear-departed friend of FWF David Alexander Yeoman, who struggled with mental health and was one of the driving forces behind its inception and early composition. The resulting album, film, photography, and live performances aim to captivate a broad audience, kindle a renewed reverence for local nature, and inspire action. 

How your funds will help?

The project will fund and support tree planting, rewilding, and environmental action in Sussex through FWF’s various local partners. With the help of local artists and musicians, we will tell the story of this landscape on a backdrop of Sussex’s nature sounds. 

• Planting and protection of 1000+ trees, including nursery support, plus maintenance and monitoring.
• Increase biodiversity by creating wildlife corridors through hedgerow planting, creating ponds and wild meadows.
• Community volunteer events.
• Intergenerational events with storytelling, songs, and interactive experiences.
• Artistic elements to showcase the landscapes and local culture.

Partners

Partners already signed up to work with Enchanting Forest (discussions are in progress with other restoration organisations in Sussex) include: 

• Wilderlands: Where we will help extend hedgerows and create a community orchard
• Springham Farm: Where we will host an event in nature which will be filmed and recorded.
  

The project will start in earnest in autumn 2023, with a completion date of December 2024.

Reward Information:

Single and EP - for inspiration, you can watch a video of David Alexander Yeoman (Keys) singing Lady of the Forest  for the team at our first Artist residency in Romania. 

T-shirt - Exclusively designed by Planet Loving Company for FWF. 

Exclusive FWF Tote Bag

Limited edition screen print drawing “Towards Rottingdean” by Stanley Donwood for FWF. 

SOLD: Photographic picture of  “Sussex Cedars” by Jasper Goodall exclusive print for FWF. 

Mix for the Forests - All donors will receive the new Muzica Without Frontiers mix Vol.8 by our founder Nico de Transilvania. 

This project successfully funded on 2nd November 2023