AFTER all the bad headlines concerning ash dieback, a Devon-based charity is now providing good news about a brighter future for our trees and woodlands.
Devon Wildlife Trust is planning to plant more than 1,000 trees throughout Exeter in its The Big Tree Plant initiative which aims to provide more attractive green spaces for the city's people and wildlife.
The charity will be working with community groups, including more than 500 local school children, to plant native trees that include rowan, oak, hazel, alder and hawthorn, along with fruit trees including cherry and apple.
The project, which will plant more than 3,000 trees over the next three years, has been funded by Defra and The Alcoa Foundation.
And the Big Tree Plant began with a community-led initiative in the Pennsylvania area of the city at the weekend. The residents' organisation, the Sylvania Environment and Community Group, worked with Devon Wildlife Trust to plant nearly 200 trees in green spaces on their patch.
And on Tuesday and yesterday hundreds of students from the city's St Luke's College and Bicton College planted more than 800 trees around the former's school grounds.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Emily Stallworthy, who is leading the project, said: 'Planting trees is a great way to improve urban areas.
"The positive effects made by them on people's health and well-being are well-known. Trees also play a vital role for wildlife providing food, shelter and safe corridors through the landscape.
"We are delighted with the response we've had from communities across the city – people really have jumped at the chance to make a long-lasting benefit to their local environment.
"Together we'll be making Exeter a better, greener place to live."
Gail Whalley, deputy head of St Luke's College, said: "St Luke's is proud to be part of this tree-planting project for Exeter. Through science, and our thriving Eco group and Wildlife Champions group, students are taught how vital reforestation is to the health and survival of the wildlife we love.
"Every Key Stage 3 student will be planting a tree on the college site and over the next few years will be able to watch their tree grow with them."
Devon Wildlife Trust is now looking for possible tree-planting sites across the city. If you think your community could get involved contact DWT's Emily Stallworthy on 01392 279244 estallworthy@devonwildlifetrust.org
The Big Tree Plant forms part of Exeter Wild City, a five-year partnership project between Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council. The aim is to improve green space for wildlife and people.
