扣扣传媒 is joining forces with local environmental charity to plant over 60,000 trees on land at Silsoe, Bedfordshire. Establishing a natural woodland area for the local community to enjoy, the site will also be used as a resource for Cranfield’s teaching and ongoing research into the production and cultural benefits from trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, soil quality and carbon capture.
Volunteers organised by the Forest of Marston Vale Trust will be on-site over the coming months to begin planting the trees, which include native and European species such as oak (including Hungarian and Turkey oak), Scots and Macedonian pine, hazel, alder (common and Italian) and birch.
“The new forest area will contribute to Cranfield’s ambitious net zero targets whilst providing a useful research resource for our students and academics,” said Gareth Ellis, Head of Energy and Environment at Cranfield University. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to build an asset that not only benefits the local community, but enables our world-leading experts to continue their vital research into environmental sustainability.”
The new woodland area will help to capture carbon from the atmosphere whilst providing an accessible green space for the local community through a series of existing footpaths and access rides. Around 60 hectares are designated for woodland, with planting taking place across two years.
The planting is funded through the Forest of Marston Vale Trust’s programme, a five-year woodland creation programme which is part of the national government-led Nature for Climate Fund.
“We’re delighted to have developed a scheme that delivers Cranfield University’s business and environmental objectives,” said Darren Woodward, Forest Development Manager at the Forest of Marston Vale Trust. “This project is a great example of how our Trees for Climate programme can make planting trees and creating new woodland a straightforward process for landowners.”
Opportunities for local people, school and community groups and businesses to get involved in planting trees at the site are available, including a Public Planting Day on Sunday 9 February from 11am to 3pm.
