Mr Knight, who walked and cycled through Leigh Woods on the outskirts of Bristol, said that too many people thought visiting a forest automatically meant a visit to the countryside.
“It’s important for everyone to know that you don’t need to travel miles into the heart of England’s countryside to enjoy our woodlands and green spaces. Some of our most cherished woodlands are on the doorsteps of cities and large towns,” he said.
Across the West Midlands region there are green open spaces and woodland adjacent to the major concentrations of urban living.
These include the Forest of Mercia that covers 23,000 hectares joining green spaces and woodland across Lichfield, Chasewater, Brownhills, Barr Beacon and Walsall Arboretum from Cannock Chase to the Black Country. The Forest of Mercia is one of England's 12 Community Forests forming the country's largest environmental improvement programme that is operated in partnership with local communities and local authorities close to major towns and cities.
There are extensive forest and nature trails at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire; plus an iron-age hill fort, visitor centres, SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), pools, streams, heathland and herds of wild deer. While the Wyre Forest near Kidderminster is renowned for its wildlife and vast acreage of ancient woodland.
Other woodland sites and green spaces across the West Midlands region include:
Sutton Park, on the north west edge of Birmingham, is Europe’s largest urban park with 2,400 acres of woodlands, heathlands and wetlands. Sutton Park is a National Nature Reserve containing pools, prehistoric mounds, ruins, and a Roman road.
Central Forest Park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent is reclaimed colliery land, landscaped and tree-planted to benefit the people of Stoke and Newcastle under Lyme.
Canley Ford near Coventry provides a variety of woodland, meadows, wild flowers and 1,000-year-old wildlife pond. Also near Coventry the community woodland of Brandon Wood in Binley Woods is adjacent to open parkland.
Smestow Valley Nature Reserve provides a 150-acre trail of woodland for the people of Wolverhampton to enjoy.
The Wyre Forest near Kidderminster is renowned for its wildlife and vast acreage of ancient woodland.
Mr Knight said the Forestry Commission’s Active Woods campaign, a national drive to promote the range of health and fitness opportunities offered by Britain’s woodlands, included hundreds of events across the UK.
“We too often think of our health as being about seeing health professionals and taking medicines. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that much of our health and well-being depends on our environment and taking regular exercise – and it’s important to make that exercise enjoyable, particularly for children.
“Getting active in our woodlands is a great way to achieve this, and I applaud the Forestry Commission on the work they are doing to encourage more people to get active in the woods – no matter where they live.”
Research indicates that exercising in woods and green spaces reduces stress levels, boosts mental well-being, and can speed recovery from illness.
Mr Knight said that “Woodlands can not only provide a home for some of the country’s threatened wildlife, but also a valuable cultural, archaeological record and a natural place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
“Forests have played in our culture since medieval times – places where people live and work, gather and enjoy their free time, while valuing and caring for the natural environment.”
People can find out more about Active Woods and their local forests and woodlands at: www.forestry.gov.uk
