logo
Environmentalist volunteers plant 60,000 trees across Lancashire

Environmentalist volunteers plant 60,000 trees across Lancashire

BBC News18-05-2025
More than 60,000 native trees have been planted by volunteers who "worked tirelessly through rain, snow, and the occasional blast of sunshine".The Ribble Rivers Trust said the three-year-old saplings were now establishing in woodlands across the 100 acre (40 hectare) Ribble catchment area - land that is drained by the River Ribble and its major tributaries - the Hodder, Calder, Darwen and Douglas.It covers the hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the source of the River Ribble, to major urban areas of Lancashire including Blackburn, Burnley and Preston.The charity said the tree planting was part of its work on river conservation for "the benefit of people, wildlife and the wider environment".
'Enhancing biodiversity'
Tree planting typically takes place between late autumn and spring, a period when trees are dormant and less likely to suffer harm during handling and planting. The Ribble Rivers Trust said all of the trees were native and responsibly sourced to ensure they are well adapted to local conditions, increasing their chances of survival and long-term growth.Environmental benefits cited include capturing carbon and providing shade, which helps regulate water temperatures to supports fish populations.The Trust said trees played a vital role in tackling climate change as woodlands act as carbon sinks, capturing and storing greenhouse gases. Jonny Walker, senior woodland officer, said: "Woodland planting is a key part of our annual conservation programme and this year has been among our most ambitious to date."Each woodland is carefully designed to maximise environmental benefit, enhancing biodiversity, supporting our rivers, and contributing to climate resilience. "We're extremely grateful to our volunteers and are already preparing for the 2025–2026 planting season, when we hope to achieve even more."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Isle of Man ferry passengers hurt during aborted port entry
Isle of Man ferry passengers hurt during aborted port entry

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

Isle of Man ferry passengers hurt during aborted port entry

A "small number" of passengers were hurt when the Isle of Man's flagship ferry aborted its entry into Heysham Port on Monday, the operator has Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said some people suffered minor injuries when the Manxman rolled while turning sharply but no emergency response was action was taken by the master during the 08:00 BST crossing of the vessel as it was "out of optimum approach position" when preparing to enter the Lancashire government-owned ferry firm said the incident would be reported through the appropriate channels and it would cooperate fully with any investigation deemed necessary. In a statement the firm said: "The master ordered an aborted approach as the vessel was seen to be out of optimum approach position."This involved a sharp turn to starboard, resulting in the vessel heeling to port."As a result of the manoeuvre and the rolling of the vessel a small number of minor injuries have been sustained onboard."The rest of Monday's sailings continued as planned. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.

Busy weekend for RNLI crew as new Cleethorpes station opens
Busy weekend for RNLI crew as new Cleethorpes station opens

BBC News

time7 hours ago

  • BBC News

Busy weekend for RNLI crew as new Cleethorpes station opens

Cleethorpes' new RNLI lifeboat station has opened and crews have already been for a new station were announced four years ago but there were delays after the original builder went station now has two lifeboats, which were moved from the previous station, on the first weekend in the new station, crews responded to three call-outs. The crew was first called out to a broken down motor cruiser, which they towed to then responded to a small boat, which had capsized near Humberston. The final call-out was to a yacht struggling to reach its mooring at the Humber Mouth Yacht Matt McNally told BBC Radio Humberside: "Three call-outs on the first weekend is pretty busy but it was a good shakedown and test of how we operate in this new station".The station has a D Class boat, used for inshore rescues, and a larger Atlantic 85 boat which extends the crew's range and capability. Mr McNally said: "All of the crew are over the moon to finally be in and to be using this fantastic building. We've watched it being built for so long. We have a building that's fantastic for our resort and that's also fantastic for our life-saving service."He said the new station would ensure crew could "respond better, safer and quicker". Not only do they now have a second lifeboat, the 20-strong crew also have larger changing rooms. The old station, just over the road from the new facility, was so cramped that crew occasionally had to get changed in the street. Plans for the station were announced 2021 but construction was delayed in 2023 when the original contractor Tolent PLC went into administration and the RNLI appointed a replacement, Wynne Construction. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices

Cash-strapped Lancashire animal sanctuary launches £30k appeal
Cash-strapped Lancashire animal sanctuary launches £30k appeal

BBC News

time8 hours ago

  • BBC News

Cash-strapped Lancashire animal sanctuary launches £30k appeal

A Lancashire animal rescue charity has launched an appeal to raise £30,000 amid a "perfect storm" of financial Animal Sanctuary, based in Holmeswood, said the financial strain of accepting more pets was compounded by regular donors pausing or cancelling monthly trustee Vickie Blackburn said: "Families are struggling, and sadly that means more animals are being surrendered or simply left to fend for themselves."The RSPCA said it fears increasing financial hardships "have led to the increase in people dumping their pets." Ms Blackburn said the charity had been "turning away umpteen cats every single day that are still in desperate need of help".She continued: "We've taken mums and kittens in alphabetical order this year, and we've already completed the alphabet once and we are back to J again – and that's just mums and kittens, that's not individual cats that aren't with kittens." She said the charity asks for a £95 donation for rehoming a cat, but they spend £400 in vet fees, food and rehabilitation costs per sanctuary has so far raised more than £4,400, which Ms Blackburn described as "a great start to the campaign".The charity has previously been saved by donations made the public, which enabled it to survive "a bleak few months". Other animal sanctuaries in Lancashire have reported similar funding issues. One of them - Hugo's Small Animal Rescue - has stopped taking in new animals RSPCA said its national and branch-run animal rehoming centres are now full and operating waiting year, the charity handled 22,503 incidents of animals being abandoned, and staff have encouraged prospective owners to "really do their research" before taking on the responsibility of a new pet. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store