Our Tetra Tech colleagues have been going green this National Tree Week, raising funds towards tree planting and woodland management across the UK.
National Tree Week, run by the Tree Council since 1975, launches the start of the winter planting season and numerous assorted events around the UK. The Tree Council is the UK’s leading charity for trees, promoting their importance in a changing environment.
Our teamwide contribution is led from Manchester by Tetra Tech Associate Ecologist Rachel Kerr, who is rounding up colleagues to partake in a variety of activities, including bake sales and raffles, to gather donations for local movement City of Trees. This Government-backed project comprises part of the wider Northern Forest initiative by conservation charity The Woodland Trust to plant 50 million trees over 25 years. It will stretch from Liverpool across to Hull, with the M62 as its spine.
Outside of Manchester, our teams in Leeds, Cardiff, and Edinburgh are also pitching in, with expert botanist Dr. Timothy Rich raising further awareness through a company-wide seminar on rare Sorbus trees.
All national proceeds outside of Manchester will go towards the Tree Council and various schemes to plant trees. The efforts come at a time of drastic need for change as tree planting rates have fallen dramatically low. The Woodland Trust reports that only 700 hectares of trees were planted in 2016 against the Government’s target of 5,000 hectares in England.
Rachel said: “We’re losing a lot of tree cover, and there are lots of reasons why we have to do our part to prevent that. The sustainable management of our woods means delivering a healthier environment, better mental wellbeing, greater air quality in our towns and cities, reduced flood risks in key catchments, a boost to the rural economy through tourism, heightened recreation, and equally, connecting people with nature.”