A Forest of Dean community benefit society plans to expand the reach of an outdoor nature centre by encouraging the wider community to get involved, after completing its purchase of the site.
The Wilderness Centre has been enjoyed by local school children since the 1960s, offering outdoor education and residential experiences at its 30-acre site and Georgian house in Mitcheldean.
Its former owner Gloucestershire County Council closed the centre in 2011, before it reopened under private ownership in 2014.
It was then put up for sale again in 2023, which set Forest-based community benefit society, Wylderne, on a two-year journey to secure its future.
And having raised more than £1 million to complete its purchase this August 2025, the society – led by an experienced team of outdoor education and 'ecoliteracy' professionals – now aims to upgrade and repair its facilities while expanding to offer learning on how to encourage biodiversity, both for school children and the wider community.
It has launched a community share offer to help fund the improvements, running until the end of August 2025, with shares available for £50 which, to ensure representation across the community, can be split over 10 monthly payments.
Director Simon Dawson told Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter: 'We’re looking forward to welcoming back not only our local schools but, for the first time, all people from the community.
'We’re hoping to evolve into a learning centre where people can enjoy contact with nature in this beautiful place and understand how they might help the unique biodiversity and the economy of the Forest to thrive.'
With on-site activities ranging from archery and climbing to bushcraft and orienteering, The Wilderness Centre also welcomes corporate groups, providing facilities for meetings, conferences and training along with accommodation both in the main house and in its bell tent 'village'.
A key part of Wylderne's vision for the future of the centre, work is already underway to expand its provision of environmental and biodiversity learning.
Paul Pivcevic, another Wylderne director added: 'We are already talking to ecologists to help us make a plan to bring more biodiversity to the site. Community volunteers will be vital to make that plan happen.
'And we are already engaging with partners to create learning projects on the site for training young people in the skills that will be needed for a greener economy'.
