Community Groups Get Together for Record Breaking Tree Planting in North Devon

Last Saturday, 5 December, saw a fantastic turnout of local landowners and community groups across North Devon’s Biosphere taking part in an attempt to break the world record for the number of trees planted in one hour across the country. The local initiative was organised by the Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service together with the BBC’s Breathing Places campaign.

Impressed with the number of people involved, Tom Hynes, from North Devon's Biosphere Reserve said: "I was delighted to see such a huge response to this world record breaking attempt.  One of the most exciting things is the long term benefit that will be brought about by one hour's hard work.  Across the Biosphere Reserve, many new woodlands have been planted, which will be great for the landscape of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and great for people and wildlife".

Amongst those taking part was Wings South West, which works with young people in North Devon including providing opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training. They planted just over 200 trees in the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as part of the AONB’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Commenting on the rural initiative Fraser Marchbank, Youth and Conservation Worker from Wings South West said, “We are really pleased to have been able to participate in this event and include volunteers from all walks of life. It’s been a great day and we are all proud to be able to leave a positive legacy for our community and environment."

Rose Day, the North Devon Coast AONB Chairman added: "Tree planting makes an important contribution to the environment of North Devon, and the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is delighted that Wings and the Biosphere Reserve helped celebrate the AONB's 50th anniversary by staging this exciting attempt on the world record."

Landowners and community groups across North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve were invited to apply for up to 200 free trees each including oak, ash, hazel and alder saplings. Since there was a limited number of trees available, each application was assessed for the benefits the planting would bring to people, wildlife and the landscape. 

For the world record breaking attempt the trees had to be planted between 11am and midday on Saturday, 5 December.  The aim was to beat the previous record of 653,143 trees by planting over a million in one hour at multiple locations throughout the country.

The North Devon Coast AONB was designated on 10 September 1959 and confirmed on 25 May 1960 in recognition of its stunning coastal landscape, which is of national and international importance. The spectacular stretch covers some 66 square miles from the boundary of Exmoor National Park at Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth on the Cornish border. For fifty years the Partnership has protected and conserved the area and will honour this landmark birthday with a series of events highlighting the different aspects of life, culture, history and wildlife across the region from September 2009 to May 2010.  For more information visit www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk.