» Who is the Woodland Trust?
Founded in 1972, the Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters and over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). The Woodland Trust’s vision is a UK rich in native woods and trees enjoyed and valued by everyone. Its aims are:
1. To enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees
2. To protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future
3. To inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe. About 12 per cent of the UK is comprised of woodland compared with an average of 44 per cent in other European countries. As well as making a significant contribution to combating climate change, woodland plays a vital role in our health and wellbeing, provides a habitat for wildlife and prevents soil erosion.
» How are Calor and the Woodland Trust working together?
Calor is working with the Woodland Trust to increase the UK's area of native woodland through the MOREwoods scheme - a project aiming to plant 500,000 trees a year on other people’s land.
The scheme allows landowners to apply to create their own woodland with help and advice from the Woodland Trust. If successful the Trust will pay for one of their experienced advisers to check land suitability, help with the design of the wood and the species to be planted, plus supply the trees, guards and labour to plant and maintain them for two years.
Successful applicants will be given priority according to a number of criteria. Firstly public access, although not essential, is desirable as often schemes will have public footpaths near them. Secondly the Trust will seek to encourage new woodland to be planted next to existing ancient woodland as this will buffer the existing endangered ancient woodland from further damage. All schemes will be made up of mixed native woodland planting.
Calor is the first corporate partner for MOREwoods, and is providing £250,000 over 3 years towards the £3 million scheme. Calor’s funding will see 50,000 trees planted, enhancing communities across the UK.
Speaking about the partnership Calor’s Managing Director Stephen Rennie said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Woodland Trust across a number of areas and in particular working with them to deliver the MOREwoods scheme. Calor is committed to the countryside, with three quarters of our business based in rural areas, and we hope that MOREwoods will both enhance local communities and help address a range of important environmental issues.”
The Woodland Trust’s long term goal is to double the amount of native UK woodland and Calor’s contribution towards the MOREwoods project will significantly help the charity move one step closer to achieving this vision.
Find out more about the MOREWoods scheme at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/morewoods .
