Published on:
27
November 2009
Local residents are being urged to join in a tree-mendous event next month and help set a world record.
The Council has teamed up with BBC Breathing Places for 'Tree O'Clock', a bid to beat the current Guinness World Record for the number of trees planted in one hour at multiple sites across the UK.
The date to log in your diary is Saturday 5th December. To count towards the record attempt, every tree must be planted between 11am and noon. The aim is to plant 1 million trees across the country.
People across Clackmannanshire are being urged to muck in and ensure that Clackmannanshire's green credentials are not hidden under a bushel.
Councillor Eddie Carrick, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability, said: "We are really pleased to be working with the Woodland Trust Scotland on this project that will help to enhance the local area for residents and wildlife. We are very fortunate in Clackmannanshire, and have some fantastic woodland environments. We are certain that the new area we have chosen in Alva will benefit from some sustainable planting. I think this is a great opportunity for local people to get involved in making improvements to their community for future generations as well as be part of a world record attempt. I will be poised, spade in hand, at 11am and I hope you will be too."
The Woodland Trust, who will also be helping out on the day, has supplied 1000 native trees to plant, including grey willow, goat willow, birch, oak and alder.
Woodland Trust, Project Officer, Rebecca Whitley said " Increasing native woodland is one of our key aims. This initiative is great way to get everyone involved in tree planting. If the current record is to be broken, then we need your help, so come along, bring your spade and be a record breaker."
Budding volunteers should meet outside Alva Primary School on Brook Street at 10am. The site is about a 15 minute walk from the school. Tools will be available, but volunteers should bring their own gloves and a spade if possible. You will also need to wear wellies as the site is wet.
For more information email biodiversity@clacks.gov.uk or call 01259 452639. We ask that volunteers please register for this event so that we know if we need to get more tools, trees or staff.
Tree O'Clock takes place during National Tree Week and is part of a wider campaign to improve local landscapes and revive natural habitats. Tree O'Clock aims to harness the potential of trees as beautiful focal points, a source of much-needed natural habitats, and a way to help reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For more information visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock.