This week is National Tree Week - running until Sunday 6 December 2020. Tree Week is promoted by the Tree Council as the UK’s largest annual tree celebration and to mark the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year). This year, as for most things in 2020, events and activities are a little different than usual. Peruse the calendar on the website; events include some online arts and culture sessions you can participate in from home, including a chat with authors Tracy Chevalier and Jonathan Drori. Click here to find out more.
To coincide the London Urban Forest Plan will be published on Monday 30 November here.
The Mayor of London has written to highlight the work of his admininstration over the last two years in working with Londoners to plant over 160,000 trees during National Tree Week. Last year, almost 20,000 Londoners planted trees in their homes and communities. In total, they have planted over 280,000 trees in London since 2016. The Mayor writes that while its not possible to have thousands of Londoners out volunteering this year, there is still plenty you can do to help make London greener.
"1. Reduce your energy bills and plant trees by switching to London Power
Earlier this year, the Mayor launched London Power, an energy company for Londoners that’s already seen thousands of you switch to fair, affordable and green energy. You can choose an even greener option with the new my London tree plan, that will plant trees in London as well as offering 100 per cent renewable electricity and carbon offsetting if your home uses gas. Switch now.
2. Plant trees whilst you search online with Ecosia
Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees when you search the web. As well as planting trees where they are most needed globally, for every Londoner that switches their default browser during National Tree Week, Ecosia will plant trees here in London. Switch now using the link ecosia.co/
3. Volunteer to help create London’s biggest new woodland
The Mayor is helping to fund Enfield Council and Thames 21 to create 60 hectares of brand new, publicly accessible woodland in north London – and they need your help! Sign up for a COVID-secure volunteering session during National Tree Week or throughout the winter to help plant 50,000 trees. Register now.
4. Discover the amazing trees near you with TreeTalk
London has over eight million trees, but how much do you know about the trees on the streets near your home? TreeTalk creates a
5. Order free trees to plant in your community
If you want to organise your own tree planting activity later in the year, our friends at TCV and the Woodland Trust have free tree packs available for order. Our website also has more information to help you plant the right tree in the right place, and look after your newly planted trees. Find out more.
Read more about what the Mayor is doing to increase the number of trees in London."
We highlighted Tree Talk yesterday (Sunday) on the first day of our Wild Norwood 2020 festival. We also heard about all things urban tree yesterday evening in a great talk by Paul Wood and if you missed that you can still watch the talk here on The Norwood Forum Facebook page.
