New eco campaign is significantly stepping up efforts to plant more trees across Harborough

A buzzing new eco campaign is significantly stepping up efforts to plant more trees across Harborough.

Over 175 people from across the district have already got behind Harborough Woodlands Volunteers Community.

The green group is now aiming to launch at least two local wood, tree and hedge-planting projects this autumn.

And activists are set to work with Market Harborough's Eco Village to create a courtyard display of garden-based ways to slash flood risk by slowing the flow of rainwater into sewers.

“We also hope to be able to include displays explaining the benefits of Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes in rural landscape as promoted by ‘The Flood Hub’,” said spokeswoman Lara Raffaelli.

She said they are also uniting with Welland Rivers Trust to amplify the benefits of Natural Flood Management on rural landscapes to prevent flooding.

“These NFM landscape schemes include the careful strategic positioning of trees and woods as flood barriers and mitigators,” said Lara.

“Local community and village teams are also being formed on new housing developments to help landowners care for their new trees.

“We are setting out to cut the risk of many trees not surviving due to a lack of water.

“We are also keen to work alongside landowners to explore the chances of planting many more trees.

“We need to plant tens of thousands more trees across Harborough, the East Midlands and right across the UK for our countryside, our environment and our entire futures.”

Lara said their “wonderful volunteers” are also researching best practice and preparing summaries on:

• Tree seed collection and propagation

• Opportunities for joining up local cycle tracks to enable safe wheeled or pedestrian access to schools and work, where possible through woodland

• The mental and physical health benefits of trees and woodlands, including those of shielding our schools from traffic pollution.

“All this is taking place while approaching interested landowners, liaising with our councils, Sustainable Harborough, Harborough's Eco School and eco church groups and preparing leaflets and website management.

“Our network has also been making friends with ‘Save our street trees’ in Northampton and ‘Trees Please’ group in Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire,” said Lara, 53, of Angell Drive, Market Harborough.

“If you too care for our magnificent environment and would like to contribute to improving it then please contact us today and join our friendly, committed team.”

If you would like to find out more then email [email protected] or visit www.harboroughwoodland.com, search for 'Harborough Woodland group' on Facebook, or @harboroughWood1 on Twitter