Coleg Gwent Landbased students in Usk are planting a hedge using free trees from the Woodland Trust to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, improve the surroundings and help native woodland wildlife.
Coleg Gwent is receiving a free 420 tree pack, in the wildlife theme, enjoying the wide range of benefits trees bring to both local communities and wildlife. Students will be hedge planting and tree planting in woods at Coleg Gwent’s Usk Campus.
Over 1,000 registrations were received by the Woodland Trust for community packs this autumn and as a result, more than 200,000 free trees will be planted. Tree packs are being provided in partnership with Ibuyeco, one of the UK’s leading eco insurance providers who have worked with the Trust for over two years and have generously raised £300,000 for the charity so far.
Lecturer and event organiser, Chris Carey said: “Tree planting is a fantastic and fun way for us to do something on our Campus. We hope our trees will help attract wildlife and make a real difference to everyone who will see them. It’s wonderful to think that in just 3 years, our trees will be as tall as the children who visit us during our annual Countryside Experience we hold in April.”
Hundreds of communities across the UK will celebrate with a public tree planting event; more are encouraged to follow this example by registering for a free tree pack for spring or autumn 2012 for their local area, as part of the Trust’s Jubilee Woods Project.
Victoria Hodson from the Woodland Trust added: “We are delighted Coleg Gwent is using our free tree scheme to plant more trees in Usk. Communities are transforming their neighbourhoods, growing their own fruits and food, creating shade and shelter, and providing new homes for wildlife. Next year, we are offering more free trees as part of our Jubilee Woods Project to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, and would love more communities to get involved.”
In February, the Trust is encouraging millions of people across the UK to come together and plant one million trees in one month to celebrate 60 years since The Queen’s accession to the throne. Communities can take part by applying for a free pack at www.jubileewoods.org.uk/treepacks. Applications for February packs close on Wednesday 7th December.
The community tree packs are part of the Trust’s Jubilee Woods project, which aims to plant 6 million trees by the end of 2012. With HRH The Princess Royal as patron, it is only one of a handful to carry official Royal approval.
