9th March 2023 • The HERALD • Page 31 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v Local Window & Gutter Cleaning Services PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL • Fascias • Soffits • Guttering • Moss Clearing • Conservatories/Roofs • PVC • Cladding Fully Insured GUTTERS CLEANED AND REPAIRED T: 07946 222820 Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk Dozens of new oak trees have been planted in the New Forest National Park thanks to the help of local schools and communities digging in for nature. More than 140 people of all ages went to a familyfriendly tree planting event at New Park, Brockenhurst on Saturday 4th February, run by the New Forest Agricultural Show Society, the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and the Hampshire Forest Partnership. During the day around 70 native English oak trees were successfully planted at New Park, which is home to the New Forest and Hampshire County Show. e event complemented the existing planting project at the 230-acre New Park site. Denis Dooley, Chief Executive of the New Forest Agricultural Show Society said: “We have a great number of trees here including many beautiful oaks, hedging species, and mixed and ancient woodland. For some years we have had a tree planting programme in place, overseen by our dedicated volunteer Martin Fletcher who ensures that we are continually planting trees to sustain the stock. Taking inspiration from the Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative, we were keen to involve the community and expand our planting project, creating a living legacy for future generations of visitors to New Park to enjoy.” e 70 oak trees will make a real impact and enhance the natural beauty of New Park while creating important new habitats for the wide array of wildlife there, including birds, invertebrates, mosses, lichens and fungi. Trees are also vital for many environmental factors including climate change, ood prevention, carbon sequestration and cleaner air. e event was made possible thanks to funding from Hampshire County Council’s Hampshire Forest Partnership, which aims to plant one million trees in Hampshire by 2050. Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, the County Council’s Executive Member for Countryside and Regulatory Services said: “A massive thank you to everyone who has given up their time to plant these beautiful new oak trees. This will create a wonderful leafy legacy at New Park that should last for centuries. The Hampshire Forest Partnership is all about bringing people and communities together to enjoy their environment and help us to deliver our target of planting one million trees across the county by 2050.” Families taking part in the event not only helped plant the trees but enjoyed fun educational activities from Paul Brockman of Woodlander Coppice as well as the New Forest National Park rangers. Professor Gavin Parker, Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority said: “Trees and woodlands are a key feature of the natural beauty of the New Forest and they also make an important contribution to the appearance of towns and villages within the area. It was great to have so many people come along to help plant these oak trees, and learn more about the New Families Plant a Lasting Legacy for the New Forest Nik Gruber from the NPA tree team demonstrates tree planting at New Park Forest National Park, which is internationallyimportant for nature.” Denis added: “This is an exciting step for the Society’s new education project and one of many activities we will be holding this year. We look forward to continuing to work with both Hampshire County Council and the New Forest National Park Authority to show the local community the benefits of spending time in nature.”
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