Dig in: Alastair Humphreys, credited with popularising the idea of the ‘microadventure’, seemed to enjoy his time creating a ‘forest of the future’ in Ashburton
Hundreds of volunteers worked to create a “future forest” in Ashburton Playing Fields last weekend with a mass tree-planting session where the organisers reckon more than 3,600 saplings were planted.
Tree-mendous: Trees for Cities made it a day of family fun
“The new trees will enrich the area by supporting biodiversity, cooling and cleaning the air, and boosting people’s mental and physical health,” according to the event organisers, environmental charity Trees for Cities.
To mark National Tree Week and Trees for Cities’ 30th anniversary, other festivities at the Ashburton event included the bright rhythms of Carribé Steel Band, The Museum of Memorable Trees exploring the deep connections people have with trees and Roaming Trees, a walk-about comedy act.
The Sensory Trust, a charity that makes nature more inclusive, provided relaxed sign-in and accessibility packs.
One of the trees planted was a community memorial tree, set up by St Christopher’s Hospice.
Trees for Cities is the only British-based charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities. “We get stuck in with local communities to cultivate lasting change in their neighbourhoods – whether it’s revitalising forgotten spaces, creating healthier environments or getting people excited about growing, foraging and eating healthy food,” they say.
Must be bark-ing: comedy duo Roaming Trees were on hand to jolly along the volunteers
Those attending the Ashburton event included nature author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys, the 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and someone credited with popularising the idea of the “microadventure” – short, local, accessible adventures.
After his microadventure in Croydon, Humphreys said: “We worked side by side, hauling mulch, digging holes and transforming the space into a little bit of future forest.
“It felt great to be surrounded by fellow tree-lovers and decent local folk.
“People in cities need trees more than anywhere else to clean up the air, to lower the temperatures, to help with pollution, to bring us some happiness and nature connection, to bring some joy, to get some wildlife into our lives. It’s vital.”
One of the local volunteers was impressed by the day’s activities. “It was fabulous fun for the whole family. Very well-organised! A very positive experience and a great memory to carry with us.”
Back to nature: all ages were encouraged to get stuck in to the day’s planting
Trees for Cities has a 30-year history of bringing communities together to plant trees, targeting places with markedly low tree canopy cover.
Ashburton Playing Fields is situated within neighbourhoods that have an estimated 9.8% and 14.7% canopy cover, well below the recommended urban tree canopy cover of 20%, and is rated among the bottom one-third most tree-deprived areas in the country.
According to Trees for Cities, “The Croydon Climate Crisis Commission strongly supports more tree planting and the restoration of green spaces.”
Trees for Cities is running a special appeal until December 10, to help plant more trees where they’re needed most. Every donation received between now and this Tuesday will be doubled – donate at www.treesforcities.org/rooting-for-equity.
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