And they're Off
Children plant 700 trees on Ragley Estate
Over 400 pupils from 12 primary schools were the first children in the UK to plant trees under the banner of Tree For All – the Woodland Trust’s new children’s tree planting campaign. 700 trees were planted at the APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition at Ragley Estate in Warwickshire on Thursday 23 September.
Tree For All is giving one million children the chance to get to grips with nature and have fun planting trees. The campaign’s vision is that every child should have the chance to plant trees. Twelve million native trees – one for every child under the age of 16 - will be planted over the next five years. This will inspire the next generation of foresters and conservationists by encouraging youngsters to reconnect with the natural world.
Andy Beer of the Woodland Trust says: “We know that nowadays children are losing touch with nature, in many cases just because they don’t get the chance to go outside, get muddy and enjoy it. Sometimes, our environment is ignored simply due to sheer indifference. Action is needed now to inspire children with a love of nature. The UK is one of the least wooded parts of Europe so every simple act of planting trees can make a difference and help restore our fragile landscapes. The more people who can be enthused with love and respect for the natural world, the greater the hope for the future of the planet.”
From 18 – 23 November the Woodland Trust will be holding the Tree For All weekend when thousands of trees will be planted at public events throughout the UK.
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For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail: media@woodland-trust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Tree For All weekend (18-23 November) is a prelude to The Tree Council’s National Tree Week (from 24 November to 5 December). This nationwide festival to mark the start of the tree- planting season and celebrate trees and woods involves a wide range of individuals and organisations, including Tree Council members such as the Woodland Trust. For more information on National Tree Week, visit www.treecouncil.org.uk
