Minister joins Big Tree Plant at Camden estate
Thursday 1st December 2011
Image: Zsuzsanna Bird
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Jim Paice, will today be rolling up his sleeves and joining London Wildlife Trust and residents at the Maiden Lane Estate to celebrate the first anniversary of The Big Tree Plant.
Supported by national tree planting organisations, civil society groups and environmental partners working with Defra and the Forestry Commission, The Big Tree Plant is a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in England's towns, cities and neighbourhoods.
Residents of Maiden Lane along with staff from Camden Council have been working in partnership with London Wildlife Trust since August 2010 as part of the Wild London Inclusive London project, funded through the Big Lottery’s Access to Nature Scheme.
The Big Tree Plant activity will see the creation of a community orchard that in time will provide an abundance of fruit for residents as well as a haven for wildlife in this built up corner of Camden.
Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust says, ‘We are delighted to be part of The Big Tree Plant. When properly managed, Estate gardens are incredibly valuable spaces for people and wildlife in the city. Together, London Wildlife Trust and Maiden Lane residents have been making improvements to their estate’s green spaces through our Wild London Inclusive London project for the benefit of people and wildlife. Regular volunteer sessions have attracted an increasing number of residents, working to build a thriving wildlife pond, plant native hedges and designing new seating areas.’
Consultation with residents has revealed that many people were keen to plant more trees on their estate, particularly fruit trees and native species that can support a greater diversity of wildlife. These residents are keen to get more involved with their green spaces on their estate and London Wildlife Trust are training them and the Estate staff to enable them to take care of these spaces in the long run.
If you want to find out more about how your estate’s green spaces could be transformed into wildlife and people friendly areas or more about our Wild London Inclusive London project go to the London Wildlife Trust’s website at www.wildlondon.org.uk.
