17 Dec One thousand trees planted in Harlow in just one day
Over 1,000 trees were planted in the town on Sunday (15 December 2019) as residents, groups and council staff joined the Leader of Harlow Council, Mark Ingall, to help Harlow reach its annual tree planting target in just one day!
Around 100 people took part in the first community tree planting day, organised as part of the council’s plant a tree for Harlow scheme, which was launched in October.
The trees have created three new community groves in the Bush Fair ward along Southern Way behind Pear Tree Mead and Longfield. A number of different tree species were planted including three pear trees.
Councillor Mark Ingall, Leader of the Council and councillor for the Bush Fair ward, said: “It has been a great start to our plant a tree scheme with our target to plant 1,000 trees in a year reached in just one day! I must say I’m overwhelmed and encouraged by the support this event received. It shows just how much people want to be part of our town’s future and are prepared to do their bit to tackle climate change. But our work doesn’t stop there, we will be planting more trees over the next few months and more people will get the chance to be involved.
“Back in July the council passed a motion that declared a climate emergency. I was determined that this would not just be an empty declaration, but that real environmental improvements would follow from it. To that end we pledged to work with residents to plant 1,000 trees in the urban environment of Harlow together with a number of other measures that this council will take to do our part to combat climate change and prevent environmental degradation.”
Further community tree planting days are planned in January 2020. Residents and groups can register their interest at www.harlow.gov.uk/plant-trees
