On a sunny November morning, in celebration of National Tree Week, a group of 60 people gathered on Wilderlands Farm near Fletching, in Sussex, with one main goal in mind – to plant lots of trees.
The event, a joint initiative by Forests Without Frontiers and partners Locate Productions and Wilderlands Farm, involved tree-planting, and talks on the farm’s ambitions, rewilding and FWF’s latest project, Enchanting Forest. A delicious lunch and treats from mobile farm shop Sussex Peasant kept energy levels up and the day ended with live music at the local Griffin Inn.
Huw Williams, creator of Wilderlands and FWF founder Nicoleta Carpineanu.
Mini-buses brought donors, advisors, business supporters and the local community from nearby stations, and Huw Williams, creator of Wilderlands, led the way through ancient woodlands, resplendent in autumn colours, across streams and past the huge beech ‘mother tree’ to the meadows where hedgerow planting was to take place.
“ These planting days are the highlight of our year and it’s great to be joined by so many people who are our supporters and donors. Working together to restore land and bring people into nature is what Forests Without Frontiers is all about. Together we can achieve so much.”
Thanks to money raised by FWF’s latest fundraising campaign – with help from artists including Stanley Donwood and Jasper Goodall who donated their artwork – 500 native, locally-grown saplings were planted over three days. Wilderlands, an exciting new nature regeneration project, has 20 acres of medieval meadows and manages 213 acres of adjacent ancient forest and 44 acres of wild meadows. The aim is to create a haven for biodiversity in all its forms. The planting of hedgerow was one of the first steps on this mission; the grand plan even involves bringing beavers back.
“It’s a vision I’ve had for a while that’s coming true. We’re creating a place where nature thrives, working in partnerships to bring people here to connect with the land.”
Before work began, Peter Birchall (aka Pete the Pond), accompanied by his pet parrot Lottie, gave a fascinating talk about the importance of ponds for biodiversity – in front of one he’d created on the farm. Ponds can support an incredible 3,000 species, including an array of edible plantlife like pond mint, which Pete happily munched upon.
Peter Birchall (aka Pete the Pond)
Lydia Baxter, Sussex Wildlife Trust
With guidance from the Sussex Wildlife Trust, expertly led by Lydia Baxter, the group divided into teams to get the saplings in the ground. A huge variety including hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, crab apple, spindle, oak, horn beam, willow, alder and field maple, will ensure a dense hedgerow to support a wide range of wildlife.
People worked in pairs to dig holes big enough to accommodate baby roots, bedded in the trees, and secured them with canes and biodegradable protectors. Fuelled by warm apple juice and flapjacks it was great teamwork, with over 150 trees planted (FWF and others returned over subsequent days to finish planting the rest). A further 1,000 are to be planted this winter at Wilderlands, with FWF working in conjunction with the Woodlands Trust. Back at the main barn Huw talked more about Wilderlands and Nico introduced FWF and the Enchanting Forest, a new Sussex-focused multimedia project which will bring artists into nature to record landscape-inspired work and raise money and awareness for environmental initiatives in the region.
Locate Productions, a key supporter of FWF’s work since the beginning, explained how the company had succeeded in planting 20,000 trees to date. “Our model has been to add and optional 1% to clients’ invoices to do something good for the planet – the vast majority are supportive,” said Locate founder Angus Light. “It’s great to see the reality of it here today.”
Beth Collier, founder of Wild In the City said. “It’s been a wonderful day, so many inspiring people and connections made – I look forward to coming back.”
As part of an ongoing partnership with Wilderlands, FWF will return in the Spring to plant more trees and run family events – keep an eye out for details.