Blog from our Climate Ambassadors

 Each year we have National Tree Week  (28 November – 6 December).  National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season, the best time to plant young trees. There is a very direct link between trees and carbon capture as trees absorb carbon dioxide to grow and increasing tree cover worldwide will help to fight climate change. I spent an afternoon browsing the internet and found all sorts of interesting information.
 
I spent quite a time on The Tree Council website
https://treecouncil.org.uk/
where I found news items and information about tree planting schemes, projects to record ancient trees, and even a video of how to make chocolate leaf decorations.
 
On the Woodland Trust website
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
I found information which said that a young wood with mixed native species can lock up 400+ tonnes carbon per hectare in trees, roots and soil and trees contribute much additional value in mitigating the effects of a changing climate. They can help to prevent flooding, moderate the temperature of the urban environment,  help to reduce air pollution and maintain soil quality. I found information on how to plant a tree, an A-Z of British Trees, a link to Osprey cam and you can even buy a tree from their shop.
The Woodland Trust has created a document setting out how the UK can tackle its climate and nature crises to expand tree cover and protect and restore woodland. Read our Emergency Tree Plan
The Government’s £640m Nature for Climate fund will help deliver the English part of its tree planting commitment, along with peatland restoration and nature recovery.
 
Via the Woodland Trust website as part of its THE BIG CLIMATE FIGHTBACK lobby activity I sent a message to the Rt Hon Mr George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Member responsible for the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) asking that in addition to accelerating tree planting the management of existing trees and woodlands should be improved.  I pointed out that I am a member of the Womens Institute and a Climate Change Ambassador for my county Federation and that achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible is important to me and to many Bucks WI members.  I said that I was lucky to live in Milton Keynes which has planned a vast green infrastructure and has a tree planting policy and that all parts of the country should benefit from more trees being planted.
 
I also found research information about how walking in woodland can increase physical health, enhance mental wellbeing and positive feelings. A specific term called ‘forest bathing’ describes a Japanese practice known as shinrin yoku which is intended to promote relaxation, de-stress and boost health. The method is a very simple one, of being calm and quiet amongst trees, observing nature and breathing deeply.
See https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/forest-bathing
I then got distracted by the link to tree related blogs including how to make a holy wreath and natural decorations for Christmas.
Earlier in the year in June Cath and I participated in a zoom event organised by the Wales Federation with the theme of Trees, Our Environment, Health and Wellbeing and these linked to their current campaigns for tree planting and mental health.  The first speaker talked about a local group which supported the recovery of those suffering from mental health issues by engaging in outdoor environmental tasks and gardening. The second speaker was a forester, Tom Jenkins Head of Forest Research in Wales who spoke about how trees were essential for the future of Wales in both environmental and economic terms. In his view the more trees and woodland the better but they should be the right trees in the right places. He stressed the importance of increasing public awareness and for the government to formulate an appropriate tree planting policy to meet climate targets.
 
On 19th July 2020 Cath completed a 10km sponsored run for the International Association of Human Values (IAHV) Climate Action Now-Tree Planting project. This initiative promotes tree plantations and, education of teachers and children on the effect of climate change across the globe and has so far planted 240,000 trees and thereby helped to reduce Co2 emissions. International Association For Human Values  Well done Cath, her friend and the two dogs Harley and Ziggy!
 
 
Yvonne Alton
December 2020