A tiny forest of 600 new trees has been planted in Mereside as part of an initiative in partnership with the environmental charity, Earthwatch Europe, which works to connect people to the natural world and the OVO Foundation, the charitable arm of OVO Energy. Earthwatch, Blackpool Council volunteers and pupils from Mereside Primary Academy all joined forces to plant a new woodland for the future.
A tiny forest, tennis court sized, will in the course of time provide a nature-rich habitat area benefiting Blackpool’s urban wildlife. The team planted the trees in Bowness Avenue, creating a dense fast-growing native woodland. The planting method, developed in the 1970s by Dr Akira Miyawaki, encourages accelerated forest development and uses no chemicals or fertilisers.
The OVO Foundation is funding twelve tiny forests to be planted in UK areas over two planting seasons.
This will be Blackpool’s first tiny forest, planted with the intention of contributing to reconnecting people with nature, raising awareness –and helping to mitigate the impacts – of climate change, as well as providing nature-rich habitat patches to support urban wildlife. Other benefits of trees include flood mitigation, combating heat stress and contact with trees and greenery has been shown to have psychological benefits for people A tiny forest supports Blackpool Council’s ambition to plant 10,000 new trees by 2029.
Many trees were planted by a team of children from Mereside Primary Academy, which is located within walking distance to the site. Headteacher, Samantha Upton, said:
The children were so excited to join this wonderful initiative and can’t wait to see the outcomes of all their hard work. As the planting took place so close to school there is a real sense of community within the children who are very protective of their local area. As a school we pride ourselves in providing opportunities that enrich our children’s lives and show them the possibilities of what can be achieved if we all work together. We are therefore very grateful for the opportunity to help create a tiny forest.
Councillors Jane Hugo, Kath Benson and Adrian Hutton also lent a hand. Cllr Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said:
We are thrilled that Blackpool has joined the Earthwatch tiny forest programme after it was featured on Countryfile some time ago. This fantastic initiative, a first for Blackpool, has taken place in the heart of Mereside. I’m sure the community and the Mereside Primary Acadamy pupils will enjoy watching the trees grow and continue to be proud of what they have achieved. It’s great to see young people learning about trees’ importance in tackling climate challenges. I’d like to thank everyone who took part, including Lancashire Fire and Rescue who kindly watered the new trees for us when the weather has been unseasonably warm.
Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch Europe, said:
Tiny Forest provides rich opportunities for connecting young and old alike with the environment and sustainability. It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action. We are delighted to be working with Blackpool Council to bring one of these inspiring spaces to Mereside in Blackpool.
With so much grim environmental news around it’s good to recognise that action is being taken to turn the tide, replacing lost habitat and its biodiversity, bringing it to the people while helping to combat climate change, the trees locking up carbon as they grow. A Tiny Forest is capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within the first three years. The community can coalesce around this woodland as a symbol and source of further pride. It’s to be hoped that more such woodlands can be created across Blackpool, re-greening it through establishing much needed tree cover and using native species.
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