Sherwood Forest needs your vote!

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve has been shortlisted for a top award in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2013.

The legendary home of Robin Hood is one of ten nominees vying for the title of ‘Britain’s favourite national reserve’ category - with public votes sought by the end of September.

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with Natural England and the Forestry Commission. It contains some of the oldest oak trees in Europe, has a fascinating ecological and natural environment, and is a popular visitor destination.

The 10 nominees in the favourite nature reserve category were selected by nature writer Mark Cocker and presenter of the BBC’s Big Wildlife Revival Ellie Harrison. Commenting on Sherwood Forest they said: "This fragment of world-famous woodland includes 900 ancient oaks and the magnificent Major Oak."

The Welsh Clearwing and the Hazel Pot Beetle are among some of the rarer finds which have been found within Sherwood’s natural habitats in recent years.

The 450 acre country park is part of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, designated in 2002 by Natural England, in honour of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. It is maintained by the county council’s country park rangers, working to a woodland management plan drawn up in partnership with Natural England, and supported by other local partnership organisations including Sherwood Forest Trust.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are delighted that Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve has been shortlisted for the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2013.

"We encourage as many people as possible to vote over the coming weeks for Sherwood Forest – it is a world famous forest and would be a thoroughly deserving winner of this national award.”

The annual awards are a celebration of our countryside and its people. The 2013 awards were launched in the August issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine, and feature 10 categories, from conservation projects and best heritage site to countryside writers and our finest nature reserves.

The magazine is asking the public to vote for their rural favourites. Full details can be found on BBC Countryfile Magazine’s website at www.countryfile.com/awardsvote, or you can email your votes to awards@countryfile.com. Voting closes on 30 September 2013.