Wirral’s (not so) Tiny Forests helping tackle climate change
To celebrate Clean Air Day, we’re looking at how 1,200 trees planted as part of the Tiny Forest initiative are getting on.
Seven months after trees were planted by school children and community groups at Citrine Road in Seacombe and The Delph in Wallasey, the miniature forests have grown rapidly with some trees now over one metre tall.
Lynn Struve, Wirral Council’s Eco Schools Co-ordinator, said: ‘It’s incredible how quickly the forests are growing and what a dramatic difference the trees have made to the local biodiversity. There are already more animal and plant species and we’ll see more and more as the years progress’.
A Tiny Forest is a densely planted native woodland the size of a tennis court that helps mitigate the effects of climate change and supports over 400 animal and plant species. Earthwatch Europe has overseen the planting of more than 3,000 Tiny Forests around the world.
As well as being good for the environment, the forests help local people connect with nature too, with information boards giving children illustrations of the kind of insects and animals they can spot.
With the help of over 500 volunteers and 15 schools, Wirral planted more than 21,000 trees in 2021/22. Wirral Council are looking for Tree Guardians to look after and maintain these newly planted trees. To get involved, visit Eventbrite to sign up.
