The English/Scottish Province reports on an initiative that marked two significant events – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 200th anniversary of Mary Aikenhead commencing her novitiate in York…
The Woodland Trust has succeeded in planting a staggering 6 million trees as part of a project known as Jubilee Woods. The project was inspired by the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth which was celebrated last year. Our own celebration of Mother Mary Aikenhead’s commencement of her novitiate two hundred years ago corresponded with the running of this project and we commissioned a tree to be planted in Jubilee Woods to honour that occasion and to be part of a positive response to global warming.
Of the project the Woodland Trust said: “We did it! The 6 millionth tree in our Jubilee Woods project has now been planted – thank you to everyone who supported us and helped us reach this ambitious target. Our project Patron HRH the Princess Royal planted the 6 millionth tree with Prime Minister David Cameron, reaching our ambitious target.
Together we have planted over 5,000 hectares – that’s 12,355 acres or the equivalent tree cover of three times the size of all the Royal Parks in London. We’ve proved what a difference we can make when we work together.
Millions of people – communities, schools, landowners and businesses – have helped create:
- 60 Diamond Woods of at least 60 acres, each marking a year of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign
- 400 Jubilee Woods, each over an acre
- 1 (460-acre) magnificent flagship Diamond Wood in the heart of The National Forest
Meanwhile, over 3,500 communities planted commemorative copses and hedges, over 40,000 schools planted free tree packs and an incredible £8,000,000 was raised thanks to sponsors and supporters. This is a Diamond Jubilee legacy to be proud of – creating vital new habitat for wildlife and special places for people to enjoy today and in the future.
Chalara ash dieback has reached our shores, while climate change and development continues to threaten UK woodland. We must keep planting trees to create healthy, productive landscapes for people and wildlife”.
