Britain’s recently
appointed Tree Champion, Sir William Worsley, has marked his preparations for
this month’s National Tree Week by paying tribute to the thousands of dedicated
and expert Tree Wardens around the country who work behind the scenes as unpaid
volunteers all year round.
With the six-month
point of his tenure as the country’s first Tree Champion fast approaching, Sir
William Worsley calls National Tree Week “an important part of my year” and has
highlighted the work of the 6,000 volunteer Tree Wardens that promote and protect
the trees in their local community, under a scheme managed by The Tree Council.
This year, The Tree
Council are taking the opportunity to thank these volunteers for their tireless
work, which according to Sir William represents “a vital resource”.
Throughout National
Tree Week, which runs until Sunday 2 December, the country’s Tree Wardens will
be busy planting trees in their local communities, encouraging schools and
other groups to get involved, and will be ensuring the future care of newly
planted trees.
Sara Lom, CEO of The
Tree Council, said: “National Tree Week will see charities, professionals,
schools and our volunteer Tree Warden groups across the UK supporting the
initiative and bringing their communities together to do something positive in
their neighbourhood.
"Trees are
rooted in history and offer hope for the future. They strengthen communities,
provide homes for wildlife and contribute to our health and wellbeing. That’s
why it’s so vital for everyone to keep planting and caring for trees, and our
volunteer Tree Wardens are the hidden heroes, getting people together to plant
and care for trees around the country.”
The Tree Council is
currently seeking to grow the number of Tree Wardens nationwide.
Sir Willliam sees
National Tree Week as “an opportunity to engage people in planting trees.” The
Tree Wardens “play a huge role in getting people engaged in trees, particularly
in urban areas,” he adds.
Sir William is
calling everyone to get involved in National Tree Week as a way that
individuals and communities can support the UK’s natural habitat and the wider
environment. “It’s important that people understand about trees and feel
inspired to look after them.”
Sir William
encouraged members of the younger generation in particular to become more
involved in supporting trees. “Young people understand about the issues of
climate change and this is one of the ways they can actually do something.
By planting a tree, you genuinely can do something. It may be only small, but
it is actually something practical.”
The importance of
planting trees has been emphasised by the latest Committee on Climate Change
report calling on the UK to double tree planting efforts to help tackle climate
change.
Sir William, who has
urged that trees must be at the heart of the government’s environmental vision
for the future, added: “I would encourage all people to work closely with The
Tree Council right across the sector. I think there are a huge number of people
out there trying to get involved with trees and forests, and I think The Tree
Council has a really important leadership role to play in bringing
organisations together.”
Beyond National Tree
Week, Sir William is encouraging people to remain involved with trees around
the country. “I would definitely encourage more people to become Tree
Wardens,” Sir William said. “I admire the Tree Wardens. I admire all people
that love trees
