Forests Without Frontiers

Forests Without Frontiers Forests Without Frontiers is a non-profit planting trees for future generations with the help of music and the arts.

Meet another of the Sussex based artists helping bring Enchanting Forest to life.Violinist and multi-instrumentalist Nua...
19/08/2026

Meet another of the Sussex based artists helping bring Enchanting Forest to life.

Violinist and multi-instrumentalist Nuala Nova has joined Director/Producer Nico de Transilvania in creating one of two new compositions supported by the South Downs National Park Trust .

A hugely versatile musician, Nuala's ability to move effortlessly between instruments and musical styles brings a unique angle to the project. Inspired by the natural world, her music captures the movement, energy and atmosphere of the landscapes around us.

"Music goes straight to the heart, reshaping how we experience life. We can understand the challenges facing nature intellectually, but when that knowledge is paired with music, we feel it too. Bringing environmental experts together with improvised music and performance in the heart of nature creates something truly powerful. Right now, we need to awaken feeling because the natural world is in crisis and it needs us to act." Nuala Nova

We're so pleased to have Nuala as part of Enchanting Forest and can't wait to share the new music inspired by the landscapes of the South Downs.

Photos:
1 - Screenshot from video by Murray Ballard
2 - Sarah - Branded by Photography
3 - Benedict Stenning

Bringing Sussex's folk heritage into new musical landscapes.We're excited to share the next chapter of Enchanting Forest...
12/08/2026

Bringing Sussex's folk heritage into new musical landscapes.

We're excited to share the next chapter of Enchanting Forest.

With support from the South Downs National Park Trust, Nico de Transilvania is working with Sussex folk musician Jack Hogsden to develop a new composition inspired by traditional Sussex folk songs and the recordings made with Jack at Westerlands.

Blending centuries-old songs with contemporary composition, the project explores how Sussex's musical heritage can continue to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in the landscapes that inspired it.

"Working with Nico to deconstruct and reassemble traditional Sussex folk songs has been an exciting creative process. Combining these historic songs with Nico's musical background and production has opened up a fresh perspective on Sussex's folk heritage. The Copper Family are synonymous with Sussex, and their songs remain deeply connected to the landscape and the people who live here. Through Enchanting Forest, we're bringing these stories to new audiences, helping Sussex's rich musical heritage reach new genres and inspire future generations." — Jack Hogsden

We can't wait to share the finished composition with you later this year.

Photos by Sarah - Branded by Photography

Last month, we were invited to speak at the Sussex Retold Symposium at the University of Sussex University of Sussex , a...
05/08/2026

Last month, we were invited to speak at the Sussex Retold Symposium at the University of Sussex University of Sussex , a day celebrating the sounds, stories, traditions and landscapes that make Sussex unique.

Our director, Nico de Transilvania, shared Enchanting Forest and the story behind the Sussex Songs, exploring our connection to nature through music inspired by the landscapes of the South Downs and the Sussex coast.

It was a privilege to share the day with Libby Drew - Knepp Estate , Caroline Lucas - Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability in Sussex, Anooshka Rawden - South Downs National Park and so many others working to celebrate Sussex's natural and cultural heritage and help shape its future through storytelling, creativity and care for nature.

Thank you to the University of Sussex for the invitation and to everyone who made it such an inspiring day.

Photos 1-3 Stuart Robinson © University of Sussex

Last spring, together with volunteers, we planted 1,000 young trees at Westerlands.Now it’s time to return.The first yea...
29/07/2026

Last spring, together with volunteers, we planted 1,000 young trees at Westerlands.

Now it’s time to return.

The first year is one of the most important in a tree’s life. Tree tending gives young saplings the best chance to establish, grow and become part of a thriving woodland for generations to come.

Join us for a day of caring for these trees, connecting with nature and sharing inspiring talks, live music and good food.

🌿 Tree Tending & Nature Connection Day
📅 Thursday 10th September
📍 Westerlands, West Sussex

If you’re interested in joining us, please get in touch at [email protected]

Supported by the South Downs National Park, South Downs Trust, in partnership with Westerlands, Weald to Waves and Locate Productions

💧 During this hot weather, keep an eye out for young, newly planted trees in your local community. If they’re looking dry, a bucket of water can make all the difference.

📷 4&5 Luke Spencer

An update from Wilderlands... 🌿Despite the continued hot, dry weather, these young trees are doing remarkably well.That'...
24/07/2026

An update from Wilderlands... 🌿

Despite the continued hot, dry weather, these young trees are doing remarkably well.

That's thanks to the care they've received since they were planted. Tree planting is only the first step giving young trees the support they need during their first few years is just as important.

If you'd like to help care for these young trees, join our Volunteer Tree Tending Day at wilderlands on Tuesday 8th September in partnership with Wilder Ouse and Sussex Wildlife Trust

Please bring a packed lunch, a refillable water bottle and your own transport.

To register your interest, email [email protected]

Together, we can help these young trees thrive. 💚

If you're out walking this summer and spot a newly planted tree in your local area looking thirsty, and it's safe and appropriate to do so, a bucket or watering can of water could make all the difference to its survival.

Around the world, extreme heat is fuelling devastating wildfires, putting forests, grasslands, wildlife and communities ...
22/07/2026

Around the world, extreme heat is fuelling devastating wildfires, putting forests, grasslands, wildlife and communities at risk.

Here in the UK, we’re seeing fires across the country this summer. For us, the landscapes of Sussex and Wales are especially close to our hearts through our restoration work, making these events an even more powerful reminder of how vulnerable nature has become in periods of extreme heat.

While rising temperatures are making wildfires more likely, many fires are still preventable.

If you’re spending time outdoors this summer, you can help protect nature by:

• Leave disposable BBQs at home and pack a picnic instead.
• Never discard ci******es or matches.
• Take all your litter home, especially glass bottles.

Every small action helps protect forests, wildlife and the people working to restore them.

Please share these simple reminders to help keep our landscapes safe this summer. 🌳

Photo credits courtesy of:
1 - The Guardian: Getty Images: © Chris Furlong
2 - University of Sussex: © C.M BelcherGetty Images
3 - Getty Images
4 - Sussex Wildlife Trust: © Hugh Clark FRPS

Help shape the future of Forests Without Frontiers.As we continue to grow, we’re looking for new Trustees to help guide ...
17/07/2026

Help shape the future of Forests Without Frontiers.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking for new Trustees to help guide our next chapter.

We’re seeking people with a range of skills and experience, including finance, fundraising, communications, governance, HR and strategy, who share our passion for bringing nature back to life and people back to nature.

Visit https://www.forestswithoutfrontiers.org/join-us-as-a-trustee for full role descriptions and details on how to apply. And if someone comes to mind, we’d be grateful if you could share this opportunity with them. 💚

Photo by

On the 8th September, we’ll be spending the day tending to young trees at Wilderlands, in partnership with the Wilder Ou...
08/07/2026

On the 8th September, we’ll be spending the day tending to young trees at Wilderlands, in partnership with the Wilder Ouse and Sussex Wildlife Trust, helping them establish and thrive.

We’re looking for volunteers to join us for the day. Whether you’ve volunteered with us before or are keen to get involved for the first time, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note:
🥪 Please bring a packed lunch and a reusable bottle for water.
🚗 You’ll need your own transport to the site.

If you’d like to join us, please email [email protected] to register your interest.

We hope you’ll join us in giving these young trees the care they need to become the forests of the future.

Photos
2&3 Ryan Mero

We’re delighted to share that Forests Without Frontiers has been awarded funding through the South Downs National Park S...
03/07/2026

We’re delighted to share that Forests Without Frontiers has been awarded funding through the South Downs National Park Sustainable Communities Fund to support the next chapter of our Enchanting Forest project.

Thanks to this support, our founder Nico de Transilvania and creative team Abstract Source and Murray ballard will be returning to Westerlands in the South Downs National Park to bring two new Enchanting Forest songs to life. Building on existing recordings with Nuala Nova and Jack Hogsden, the funding will enable us to complete the compositions alongside new recordings in nature captured at Westerlands as well as create videos edited by Vazil Dzhagalov.

The funding will also support our ongoing tree tending and planting, helping restore this special landscape for wildlife and for everyone who spends time there.

A huge thank you to South Downs Trust for supporting creative projects that connect people with nature while helping to care for it.

We’ll be sharing more from this project and our Westerlands visits over the coming months and we can’t wait to take you behind the scenes as these new songs and soundscapes come together.

Image credits Murray Ballard

Last week we were honoured to be part of the Wilder Ouse Conference at Lewes Town Hall, bringing together organisations ...
01/07/2026

Last week we were honoured to be part of the Wilder Ouse Conference at Lewes Town Hall, bringing together organisations and communities working to restore nature across the Ouse catchment.

The day explored how people can get involved in nature recovery and be supported to take action, with inspiring talks from some of our organisation partners including South Downs National Park, Weald to Waves, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Green Britain Foundation and many more.

Our Director, Nico de Transilvania , introduced Forests Without Frontiers through a screening of Enchanting Forest, sharing how we combine nature restoration with music, art and community to reconnect people with nature.

It was encouraging to spend the day alongside so many organisations sharing ideas and building connections across Sussex. Thank you to everyone who organised the conference and contributed to the inspiring conversations that will help shape a wilder future.

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