Volunteers needed to help plant community woodland
Published: 20 February 2020
People are being invited to help plant a community woodland in Exeter.
Around 20 volunteers are needed to help plant 2,000 trees as part of the Monkerton Ridge Plan.
The event is happening over the weekend of Friday 28 and Saturday 29 February. Volunteers need to apply to the City Council and will be taken on a first come first served basis.
The woodland creation site was recently adopted by the City Council from a developer in order to provide green space for the local community.
The Council is working in partnership with Trees for Cities to create a new community woodland that will be publicly accessible and provide a number of benefits to not just local people but to the wider area.
A 2018 I-tree Canopy Cover Assessment revealed that Exeter’s Canopy Cover is 24.5%, which is above average for UK towns and Cities.
The City Council recognises the great importance of trees and woodlands. Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for Environment and City Management, who will be helping out with the tree planting, said: “Trees not only benefit the environment and also provide valuable habitats for wildlife and biodiversity, they also deliver recognised benefits to mental health and wellbeing.”
Exeter City Council has set itself an ambitious target of reaching 30% canopy cover by 2040. In order to reach this target there needs to be a concerted effort from the council as well as other land owners within the city, to not only look after existing trees, but also to increase tree planting where there is the opportunity to do so.
This project gives the local community a chance to get involved and help make a real difference by contributing to Exeter’s tree and woodland cover.
Those under the age of 18 will need to be supervised by an adult otherwise they will not be allowed to participate. Volunteers will be expected to bring their own packed lunch and refreshments, as well as being suitably dressed with sturdy footwear and waterproofs.
Work gloves tools will be provided.
To apply for the event please email joe.morshead@exeter.gov.uk