Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2021 13:24 Page 7
Families for trees
Alex Limberg
IT’S been a busy spring of tree planting in Pensford, supported by the Chew Valley Plants Trees project, with up to 60 trees planted around the village playing fields alone. The Conservation Volunteers have been giving away 600 trees and shrubs to be planted around the area. Planting will resume in the autumn. Alex Limberg, from CVPT, said: “Without more trees and a better network of hedgerows the rich diversity here will become increasingly depleted, and climate change will be irreversible. Planting trees is one tool in our tool box of actions to prevent climate change escalating.” Various families were invited to plant a few trees, including Nick and Trina Anstey with their children Luke and Izzy from Hillcrest in Pensford.
ENVIRONMENT
Forest plan branches out to gardens
Members of the council’s parks and green spaces team at the first giveaway in Radstock
A CHANCE for residents to improve their gardens and local environment was on offer in two tree giveaway events held by Bath & North East Somerset Council. The authority handed out hundreds of young trees from its depot in Radstock as part of its commitment to tackling the effects of the climate and ecological emergencies. B&NES residents were able to choose up to three trees per household from a range of eight, mostly native species including birch, alders, snake bark maple and mountain ash. The scheme is aimed at extending valuable tree cover in hardto-reach areas by providing species of limited size, that are characteristic of the suburban environment with the majority shown to be beneficial to air quality. It is hoped the scheme will also benefit the wider aims of the Forest of Avon trees and woodland project stretching from Bristol to Bath and sandwiched by the Mendip Hills and Cotswolds AONBS. Councillor David Wood, B&NES cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: “Trees are so important in improving air quality and helping to combat the climate emergency, which is why we’ve committed to planting 100,000 trees in B&NES by May 2023. Every tree really does count as part of our collective efforts to improve our environment.”
The Anstey family
Funding for projects
WESSEX Water is providing financial support to environmental projects across the South West through its new Environment Fund. Applications must be made before June 4th and community groups can apply for up to £1,500. Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s Head of Community Engagement, said: “We are really pleased to be able to support communities that are passionate about protecting and improving their local area.” Details: www.wessexwater.co.uk/funding
This tree was destined for St Mary’s primary school in Writhlington
MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2021 • PAGE 7
