Forest for Peterborough, which is run by the charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) has so far planted a total of 99,506 trees, with just under 6,000 trees being planted this season, which ran from October 2016 through to March 2017.
This year, the planting season concluded with a successful tree giveaway at Serpentine Green in Hampton, as part of National Disability Awareness Month, which brought together a showcase of charities and community groups across the city. Residents of Peterborough could collect their free Crab Apple trees, with the aim of encouraging them to plant it in their gardens to increase tree coverage across Peterborough.
Throughout this season, the project has seen a range of people getting involved, from families and communities to a variety of business groups all joining in as volunteers.
Project Officer Simon Belham explains: “It has been a busy season but made so enjoyable by all the helpers we have had join us on event days. I would just like to say thank you to everyone who took the time to don a pair of gloves, grab a spade and a tree and help out with the planting. Our project can only be made possible with each and every person who volunteered.”
Next season brings with it exciting prospects, including the chance of reaching a milestone of planting the 100,000th tree! But for this to happen, the project is in need of land for these trees to grow.
The focus now turns to you. In readiness for the next tree planting season, starting in October 2017, Forest for Peterborough needs to secure new pockets of land where more trees can be planted.
If you have land or know anybody who has available space and an interest in creating a new woodland, forest, shelterbelt or wildlife copse, make sure to get in touch.
Please contact Simon Belham, Forest for Peterborough Project Officer, on 01733 882545, or mobile 07715 372432, or you can email [email protected]. For more information about PECT, visit www.pect.org.uk.
With thanks to Peterborough City Council for supporting the project’s 2016/17 season.