Friday 02-11-2018 - 11:48

Three years ago I organised the first “Big Plant”: a community tree planting event in Swansea, utilising The Woodland Trusts free Community Tree Packs. I still remember how nervous I felt the night before: what if nobody shows up? What if the trees don't arrive in time? What if the ground’s too hard?

Three years on and TSD Swansea Environment Society are now preparing for our third Big Plant, and my how it’s grown! To fund the first event, I applied for a grant of £100 from Swansea Rotary Club who were kind enough to oblige, this was used to buy the spades we still use for plating. The Environment Societies Media Officer, Sophie Jenkin, designed the awesome logo which we still wear proudly on t-shirts at the event (and throughout the year). Last year, the SU bought some extra spades and gloves for the event so we now have all the equipment we need for when you join us to plant again (just bring wellies!). In fact the Big Plant almost runs itself now, with minimal input from myself, Elanor from Llys Nini RSPCA and Andrew from TSDSU…and all of the other incredible members of TSD Swansea Environment Society (special mention to Conor).

It's been an absolute privilege to witness the event going from strength to strength and the growth of the first trees we planted. One day they will provide an invaluable habitat for overwintering birds and small mammals as they prepare for hibernation. Why is this important? The benefits of planting trees are far-reaching: from mitigating climate change, to preventing flooding, creating woodfuel and encouraging wildlife…on both a local and global scale it is, quite simply, one of the most important things we should be doing.

The event has been enjoyed by so many UWTSD students (many of whom had never had the opportunity to plant a tree before!) that it has now been taken up by students on our Carmarthen campus as well, where trees will be planted on Sunday 18^th November. I am so proud that UWTSD students are stepping up and playing their part to reforest the UK, which suffers from one of the lowest tree-cover levels in the whole of Europe.

So, why did we choose Llys Nini? Conservation Manager Elanor Alun identified the need for more trees planted in strategic locations at the site in order to link up two areas of ancient woodland to create a wildlife corridor. This is why the tree species we chose (oak, birch, hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and rowan) are all fruit – or seed – bearing species. These will not only provide a habitat and shelter for birds and mammals, but also provide a renewable source of food throughout the winter months. Our time planting at Llys Nini is almost at an end, however, as this woodland corridor is almost complete. This means that we are now on the lookout for a new site to plant trees in the Swansea area for next year.

Please, please join us on November 17th (it’s a Saturday!) for what will be a really special day as we plant our ONE THOUSANDTH TREE on site, along with 419 (equally special) other trees. Guest of honour Mark Wilkinson (my dad!) will also be attending so lets show him what we're capable of...if you're lucky, he may even give you one-to-one tree planting lessons (he also tells me he’s bringing cake).

Lunch will be provided and we’ll be running a shuttle service from Swansea on the day, you’ll also get your very own Big Plant t-shirt!

 

By Ella Wilkinson