The Mayor and London Wildlife Trust help Londoners sow and grow wild trees

Tuesday 19th October 2010

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and the London Wildlife Trust have joined forces to help Londoners find out how they can get involved in plans to plant more trees in the capital.

With funding from the Mayor, the London Wildlife Trust is running a series of free events for people to find out about tree seeds, growing your own trees, and how to provide future habitats for wildlife. London Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers will help people collect tree seeds, plant them carefully in take-home pots and provide advice on how to grow trees back in growers own gardens or communal spaces.

Tree and shrub seeds will be gathered from species on each nature reserve, such as hornbeam, English & sessile oak, field maple, sweet chestnut, hawthorn and guelder-rose.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is also funding the planting of 10,000 new street trees across the capital. Both programmes contribute towards his ambition to increase tree cover across London from 20 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025.

The Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I am passionate about planting more trees in our urban jungle to the benefit of all. We are supporting these fantastic, family-friendly events to help inspire an enthusiasm for trees and encourage people to part their part in boosting tree numbers.”

Mathew Frith, Deputy CEO at London Wildlife Trust is delighted at this initiative and says; “London’s wild trees need conservation to help ensure support for wildlife in the future, and taking action to plant seeds and care for saplings as they emerge in gardens or communal spaces is one easy step that people can take. It ensures London’s urban forest is further strengthened for future generations and helps adapt the city to the challenges of climate change.”

Anybody can turn up at these free fun events (all under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), which will be held at:

o Camley Street Natural Park (King’s Cross)
Saturday 23rd October, 12.30 - 4.00pm
12 Camley Street, London, NW1C 4PW
Contact: Phil Paulo, camleyst@wildlondon.org.uk or 020 7833 2311
o Sydenham Hill Woods (Upper Sydenham)
Sunday 24th October, 1.30 – 3.00pm
Crescent Wood Rd entrance, SE26 6SB
Contact: Ashley White, awhite@wildlondon.org.uk or 0207 252 9186
o Gunnersbury Triangle (Chiswick)
Saturday 30th October, 11.00-2.30pm
Bollo Lane, W4 5LW (opposite Chiswick Park tube)
Contact: Oliver Rakocevic: 07530 730551

For General enquires on the events: Will Spoelstra: wspoelstra@wildlondon.org.uk or 020 7261 0447.

 

Story by London Wildlife Trust