Rossendale Forest volunteers wanted to plant 400 trees

Rossendale Council are asking for volunteers to plant 400 trees as part of the award-winning initiative- Rossendale Forest. 

Rossendale Forest, the council’s tree planting initiative to plant a tree for every child in the borough – that’s 16,000 trees – between 2022-2025 – has successfully planted more than 11,500 trees since the start of 2022. 

They are now asking for volunteers for the last few sessions of the 2023 planting season.  

The next planting session, to plant 400 trees is on Saturday 11th February at 10am on Lanxess Ltd grounds in Rising Bridge. More dates will follow in February and March. 

Matthew Jackson, Green Spaces Officer at the council said:  “The people of Rossendale were amazing when we asked for help planting last season and we’re looking for that same community spirit and enthusiasm this time. 

“We want to plant 400 trees in this first session and we’re ideally looking for 30 volunteers, the more of us there is the quicker it will get done. If you, your friends and family can help us plant trees on the 11th please drop me a quick email. It will be great to see you contributing to community projects that are protecting the environment for all of us.” 

Rossendale Forest is part of a raft of measures to help combat climate change, that the council announced last year when they declared a climate emergency in their climate report. 

Matthew continued: “Tree planting is the perfect way to improve your local environment. Trees contribute to flood resistance, clean the air, lock up carbon and stabilise soils. They also look fantastic, and you’ll get to keep checking on their progress! 

“You don’t need any special equipment except some sturdy boots or wellies and warm layers/waterproof clothing. And you don’t need to have any planting experience or knowledge as you will be briefed on the day. To keep you energised and motivated cold refreshments will be available throughout the session.” 

If you would like to join in, please contact Matthew at matthewjackson@rossendalebc.gov.uk or pledge to plant using the following link bit.ly//rbcforest1