1,000 trees have been planted by 65 volunteers at Gatefield Community Grassland on the Londonderry Estate in Bideford in a bid to build a new community woodland and improve the local environment.
The programme was organised by Torridge District Council and Parklife South West as part of Devon County Council’s Local Authority Treescape scheme. The scheme was fully funded by the Forestry Commission and was delivered with an aim to create better habitats for wildlife and capture carbon emissions as part of efforts to tackle global warming.
Following a call for volunteers, the ranger team at Torridge District Council were overwhelmed by offers of help from the local community, which included pupils from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School. Initially expected to take at least three days, the tree planting was completed by lunchtime on the second day!
Volunteers planted Oak, Beech, Hazel, Wild Cherry, Hawthorn, Spindle and other broadleaf species found in surrounding woodlands and hedgerows. The hope is that as this new woodland grows it will join up habitats that are currently fragmented and isolated to help establish better wildlife corridors in the local area.
Following public consultation, a large area of open space has also been incorporated into the final design, so that dog walking and other recreational activities can continue to take place here too. It is hoped that the project will create a better space for both the wildlife and the local community.
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