The environmental charity PECT is leading the way nationally with its innovative, locally-focused tree-planting project: Forest for Peterborough.
PECT launched Forest for Peterborough in 2010, with the aim of planting over 180,000 trees in and around the city and surrounding countryside by 2030 – one tree for every person living in the city.
This October, the project is reaching a massive milestone. Its 100,000th tree will be planted within the city’s Central Park on Saturday 7th October 2017. Now the project is encouraging local residents, volunteers and groups to come together to celebrate this milestone at the family-friendly event.
“This event will primarily be a chance to thank everyone, past and present, who have been involved with the project,” explains PECT’s CEO Carly Leonard. “We are so grateful for the support of all the volunteers, individuals and organisations who have dedicated time and enthusiasm towards making this project possible.”
“Together we are working to transform the city’s landscape and forming a vital network of wildlife corridors and green spaces. Trees also play a vital role in mitigating climate change and adapting to extreme weather conditions by providing shade on hot days and absorbing water during periods of heavy rain. To plant the 100,000th tree in the city is a truly fantastic achievement, and one we’re incredibly proud to be leading on.”
In particular, the charity would like to extend an invitation to the event to any children who are seven years old in 2017, because these children were born in the year the project was first launched – the charity would love for them to be involved.
The event will run from 10am-12noon, with the official tree planting at 11am. Family activities will be available throughout the day and there will be free face painting for all children, as well as a tree giveaway for people to take home and plant trees in their own gardens too. There will also be a display of the winning photographs from a recent tree photo competition.
For more information about the charity PECT, email info@pect.org.uk, visit www.pect.org.uk or call 01733 568408.