A CENTURY of the Forestry Commission is being celebrated with a string of special events and activities.

The organisation, responsible for protecting woodland and promoting its sustainable management, was founded in September 1919.

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: “100 years on and the Commission has more than doubled England’s forest cover, planting more than two million acres of forest including areas at Whinlatter, Grizedale, Ennerdale, Dodd Wood, Hardknott and Whitbarrow, amongst others, in Cumbria.”

A host of activities are being offered to mark the occasion, including the chance to get involved in Cumbria.

The ‘Big Forest Find’ is encouraging people to survey animal and plant life at selected woods and forests across the country.

Among the listed locations are Dodds Wood and Whinlatter Forest, both near Keswick.

Up to the end of October, people can take part by downloading the ‘iNaturalist’ app and using it to upload photos of the plant and wildlife they discover.

There are also a number of other things for people to enjoy and get involved with.

‘Tributes to Trees’ can be added to an online gallery, while former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has written a new piece to mark the occasion.

PK Khaira-Cresswell, director of the Forestry Commission centenary, said: “While we look back over the last 100 years, we are also focused on the future.

“It is our job to ensure the nation’s forests are resilient to climate change and tree disease, and continue to provide sustainable timber, homes for wildlife and space for recreation.”

Visit forestryengland.uk/100 to discover more about the centenary events.