Nearly 10,000 new trees planted across Swindon in five months
It's been done by Borough Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust volunteers
Close to 10,000 new trees have been planted across Swindon since last November, in an effort by local volunteers.
A partnership between Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has seen efforts in parks and open spaces.
That's included planting at Shaw Forest and Mouldon Hill.
When fully grown, each hectare of new tree planting will annually capture and store around 295 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2),
They'll also help to improve soil quality and mitigate soil erosion, reduce pollution and flooding with more than 30% of the new trees being planted in areas that support natural flood management.
Councillor Emma Bushell, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the Build a Greener Swindon mission, said: “The amazing green-fingered volunteers of Swindon continue to improve our parks and open spaces and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“They do a lot of work to improve our town’s environment and they deserve the highest possible praise.
“Since 2020 Swindon has seen around 50,000 trees planted and we’re hoping the next five years will produce even more opportunities to enhance our parks, open spaces, highways and footpaths with more planting.
“There are still opportunities to get involved with the Trust and lend a hand with any future planting opportunities. If you’re interested, get in touch.”
As part of the Great Western Community Forest, Swindon’s 9,744 trees contribute to more than 76,000 trees planted across the entire GWCF area.
The community forest covers an area of 39,000 hectares (over 168 square miles) stretching from the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the River Thames.