The United Kingdom’s largest woodland conservation charity is calling on landowners to help mark Her Majesty’s 70-year reign as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – a unique tree-planting initiative which is inviting people from across the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.
Creating up to 70 ‘Platinum Jubilee Woods’ supports the Woodland Trust’s long-term mass scale woodland ambitions and will help tackle the climate and nature crisis.
Moorcroft: An exciting and ambitious project
Dr Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said,
“This is an exciting and ambitious project that will be a fitting way to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
“We want landowners to play a crucial role in this incredible initiative which will not only be a fantastic living and growing legacy for Her Majesty but will also help fight climate change and create essential new woodland habitats.”
Everyone can play their part
The QGC is encouraging everyone to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season until March 2022, with tree planting to start again in October through to the end of the Jubilee year.
Colonel Dan Rex, chief executive of The Queen’s Green Canopy, said,
“We are delighted that our partners, the Woodland Trust, are leading this significant and ambitious contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy.
“We appeal to all landowners who may have land available to support this important initiative.”
On hand for expert advice
As part of its 70-acre woods plan, the Woodland Trust will offer expert advice on planting the right trees in the right place, as well as guidance on management, financial support and grant applications.
Trees can play a huge part in tackling climate change and the Woodland Trust is aiming to establish at least 50 million new trees by 2025.
Moorcroft: Nature is in decline
Dr Moorcroft continued,
“Not only do we need more trees, what we have are still at risk and nature is in decline.
“The woods and trees we establish today will join our army of existing trees which are working tirelessly to clean our air, improve our mental health and capture carbon – as well as providing safe places for our wildlife to flourish.
“We remain one of the least wooded countries at 13 per cent woodland cover, compared to an average of 37 per cent in the rest of Europe. But we can all play a role in increasing tree numbers to help nature recover and to help tackle the climate crisis.”
Carbon net zero
Trees are only part of the solution in the ongoing fight to reduce global CO2 emissions, but to help reach the UK government’s 2050 target to become carbon net zero the UK’s woodland cover needs to increase from 13 per cent to at least 19 per cent.
Woods and trees can help prevent flooding, cool city temperatures, reduce pollution and keep soil nutrient rich.
The UK is also facing a nature crisis. But restoring precious habitats and planting new native woodland with UK-grown trees, will extend and create havens for wildlife and boost biodiversity.
Schools and community groups
The Woodland Trust is a leading delivery partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
Schools and community groups are able to apply for up to three million free saplings in tree packs, through the Free Trees for Schools and Communities Scheme.
Get in touch
If you would like to get involved in the Woodland Trust’s Platinum Jubilee Woods initiative, you can contact us to find out more by emailing [email protected]. Please send a brief description of the planned wood along with the location and a map.
News shared by Owen on behalf of the Woodland Trust. Ed
Image: Marty Finney under CC BY 2.0
