Green-fingered south west Londoners are being invited to roll up their sleeves and help plant hundreds of trees throughout December and January.
People can plant saplings at the Wimbledon Commons Extension and Raynes Park Sports Ground on various dates with the Merton Tree Warden group.
Not only will it improve the appearance of the area up but also help combat the effects of climate change.
Merton Tree Warden volunteer coordinator Jane Plant said: “We aim to plant 300 trees a day – all native species.
“This will help create new strips of woodland providing greater shelter for wildlife.
“It’s a very effective initiative and helps bring the community together.”
The Merton Tree Wardens aim to plant more than 7,500 trees by March 2015 as part of The Big Tree Plant –a campaign to encourage people and communities to plant more trees across England’s towns, cities and neighbourhoods.
If you would like to help plant a tee, no experience is required and everyone is welcome. Volunteers should wear stout footwear, bring their own gardening gloves and prepare to get muddy. Tools will be provided on the day.
People can go along at any time and for as long as they want between 10am and 2pm.
“It’s important to continue to plant trees in London, as they are being lost at a greater rate than they are being planted, due to the intensification of development,” Jane added.
“We need to bear in mind how effective trees are in addressing climate change.”
More woodland plantings are planned for other locations in January – these are yet to be confirmed.
Woodland planting events:
Wimbledon Commons Extension, Robin Hood Road, London SW15 3QF, 10am – 2pm
- Thursday December 4
Access to the car park is via the A3, after the Robin Hood roundabout when travelling south. The entrance is just before a roadside screen of conifers.
Raynes Park Sports Ground, SW20 0BH, 10am – 2pm
- Saturday December 6
- Sunday December 7
- Tuesday December 9
- Thursday December 11
- Saturday December 13
- Sunday December 14
You can access the car park from Taunton Avenue, via West Barnes Lane.
For more information about the events, or to check cancellations due to poor weather, contact Jane Plant on 07773 406 105 or [email protected]
