News / Environment
Mass community tree plant planned in Bristol
An ambition to unite communities over a shared goal of creating a more sustainable future is set to become a reality.
Founder of Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action Projects (PPAAP) Naseem Talukdar first announced plans to bring people together to plant 1,000 trees in August, when he appealed for Bristol landowners to come forward and volunteer suitable sites for the project.
A couple of months down the line and the charity, in collaboration with the Woodland Trust and One Tree Per Child, has secured two patches of land – at Southmead Hospital and Begbrook – and is set to host major tree-planting sessions on November 27 and 28.
is needed now More than ever
L-R Lucy Mason, volunteer project coordinator for PPAAP and University of Bristol student, Naseem Talukdar, Jeremy Evans, outreach adviser for Woodland Trust, and Meg Thomas and volunteer advisor with PPAAP
“I receive hundreds of emails from people who want to make a difference, but they don’t know where to start – this is something they can do,” Naseem told Bristol24/7.
“I’ve seen it happening – people take one small step and they feel empowered to do more. We aim to engage communities that have never really engaged with environmental issues through the tree planting – it should be something that brings people together.
“As well as planting the trees and the environmental benefits they bring, such as improving air quality and wellbeing, the projects will also bring people together from all faiths, backgrounds and ages through the opportunity to educate people about the environment and empower them to be able to make further changes to reduce the usage of single-use plastic.
“Let us all be part of the solutions and take responsibility for our actions.”
The Woodland Trust has supplied the 1,000 trees to be planted and the dates of the mass planting sessions will take place just ahead of the Big Climate Fightback on Wednesday, November 30 –when the trust is calling on people across the nation to help fight for the future of the planet by being one in a million to pledge to plant a tree.
Explaining the premise behind its campaign, the Woodland Trust states: “Trees are the ultimate multi-taskers, helping to combat the two environmental emergencies facing our planet: climate change and biodiversity loss.
“They absorb carbon, fight flooding, reduce pollution, nurture wildlife and make landscapes more resilient.
“Reducing our carbon emissions will never be enough. It’s vital we grow a UK-wide patchwork of trees and woods – not just by planting, but also through natural regeneration. The woods, hedges and green spaces we create buffer existing habitats, tackle climate change and reverse wildlife decline – all at the same time.”
An information workshop will take place on College Green on November 30, where any surplus plants will be distributed to Bristol residents who have registered online to plant in their own gardens, allotments and communities.
There will also be educational workshops to further educate and engage volunteers.
Naseem has launched a fundraising campaign and is encouraging people to get involved and sponsor a tree even if they can’t come out to plant. The money will go towards volunteer training and equipment, workshops and documenting the project.
Find out more about the project and how you can get involved via: www.facebook.com/PlasticPollutionAAP.
Read more: Plan to plant 1,000 trees in Bristol
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