New project will create a Forest for Peterborough...
The city’s green charity, Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is working in partnership with a number of city organisations to create a forest for Peterborough.
The project is being launched at an event on Monday 22nd November. TV personality, radio presenter, and tree lover Clive Anderson has been drafted in to help launch it with a bang.
The project provides a welcome boost to Peterborough’s Environment Capital aspirations and will increase biodiversity in the city.
The Forest for Peterborough project won’t create a single woodland in one set place, but will increase tree coverage in different areas all over the city.
Hugh Cripps, Chief Executive of PECT explains, “This project will certainly increase the number of trees planted in Peterborough. But it’s also about more than just trees – we want to increase the range of habitats in the city such as grassland and hedgerow as well as woodland. We want to create green corridors throughout Peterborough to allow our wildlife to flourish.
“We have a long-term vision for this project spanning 15 years and beyond. On the 22nd November we are holding an event to share this vision and raise funds to kick start planting.
“The project is still a sapling in terms of it’s development, and so we don’t yet have an exact number of trees that we’ll be looking to plant. The final number also depends on the amount of funds we are able to raise. But we are talking about thousands of trees and a project with a big impact for the city.
“Local schools and community groups will be involved with the project because we want to help people learn about the importance of both biodiversity and how they can develop and protect it, as well as the important heritage role forest have played through the centuries and their relevance today. If young people help plant the trees and return regularly to maintain them and watch them grow that will leave them with a powerful sense of the importance of the natural environment.”
The project has received support from many local and national organisations. Natural Networks project officer from Peterborough City Council James Fisher believes the project is an example of true partnership working. He said, “This truly is a city-wide effort to create something special in Peterborough. The project has been developed in conjunction with the Natural Networks Partnership, a group which represents many of the leading nature conservation organisations operating locally including Peterborough City Council, the Forestry Commission, Natural England, RSPB, Nene Park Trust, and the Wildlife Trust.
“This is a really exciting project and will give local people the chance to learn about wildlife. 2010 is the international year of biodiversity and this is a great way to mark that in Peterborough.”
If you would like to find out more about the Forest for Peterborough please contact PECT by calling 01733 866431.
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Notes to Editor
Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is a charity set up following Peterborough’s designation as a UK Environment City in 1992. PECT carries out research and implements practical projects to protect and improve the environment. Our mission at PECT is to lead and support the city in delivering growth and regeneration in a truly environmentally sustainable way. As a successful charity we work with a wide variety of stakeholders to make a difference for our environment – through innovation, enterprise and commitment to action on the ground. PECT has a strong track record of delivering projects of regional and national significance. It has a staff of 35 working on initiatives from green spaces to business environmental management to sustainable communities and lifestyles.
For further information please contact:
Nyree Ambarchian, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: 01733 866 437 Email
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Peterborough Environment City Trust, The Green House, 1st Floor, 4-6 Cowgate,
Peterborough PE1 1NA t 01733 568 408 e info@pect.org.uk f 01733 553 716
