Climate crisis is our ‘Dig for Victory’ moment
National tree week was celebrated all over Bath including at a community nursery in Rush Hill and at a planting ceremony in Twerton.
The West of England Mayor Dan Norris planted a tree with the Forest of Avon Trust at Brickfields Park in Twerton.
“People sometimes say about politicians that they can’t see the wood for the trees,” said Mayor Norris.
“Well I want to break that mould. Trees are amazing; they’re a powerful asset in the fight against climate change, they’re great for biodiversity, and they’re great for our health and wellbeing. I said I would lead our region’s green recovery and this is a key part of that.”
The Forest of Avon Trust is aiming to plant a whopping 75 hectares over the next season.
Their “ten goals in ten years,” include planting half a million native trees and shrubs in the region, expanding and showing off their woodland wellbeing activities, and improving access to and within 50 local woodlands.
“In the West of England we’re blessed with some beautiful forests and woodland,” said Dan Norris. “That’s why I’m meeting with organisations like the Forest of Avon Trust.”
“I’d urge everybody to get involved in National Tree Week, whether planting a tree in a pot in your backyard, or helping out at an event in your community.”
In the meantime, Barrow Mead Community Tree Nursery in Rush Hill was celebrating the growing of 500 trees.
The local community tree growing project shipped 240 trees to Peasdown St. John on November 26 and they’re not looking back.
“2021 has been our busiest year ever, and we are massively scaling up our work,” said Adam Gretton, Chair of More Trees BANES. “Watch this space for more developments, and please get involved!”
“We’re in a climate emergency, and this is our ‘Dig for Victory’ moment. We all need to step up and make a difference.”
“Our main focus now is to collect seed and cuttings from ancient and semi-natural woodland in the area, to ensure a hyper-local supply of indigenous trees,” he said.
“This reduces the carbon footprint of tree planting, reduces imports, whilst increasing genetic diversity and bio-security.”
“Many people know about Ash Die-back Disease which will wipe out most of the 150,000,000 Ash trees in the UK – all because as a country we were relying on cheap imports.”
“It’s much easier to buy trees than grow them ourselves, but it’s so important to ensure local provenance,” said Adam Gretton. “You’ll see some sweat on our brows over the next few years as we get stuck in!”
In 2022, they plan to grow 10,000 trees from tree seed collected from local ancient and semi-natural woodlands.
To achieve this ambitious goal, they need volunteers, landowners, and donors.
National Tree Week ran until Sunday. To volunteer all year round please contact volunteers@moretrees.earth or make a donation at: www.localgiving.org/moretreesbanes