Silsoe woodland with 60,000 trees to aid research and community
The planting of 60,000 saplings will create a community space as well as support research into the benefits of trees on the environment, a leading university has said. The new 60 hectare (148-acre) woodland on land at Silsoe in Bedfordshire, is being created by Cranfield University and the Forest of Marston Vale Trust over the next two years. It will be used as a teaching tool and resource for "ongoing research into the production and cultural benefits from trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, soil quality and carbon capture," the university said. It hoped the forest - of oak, pine, hazel, alder and birch trees - would also contribute to the university's "net zero targets".
Darren Woodward, forest development manager at the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, said: "This project is a great example of how our Trees for Climate programme can make planting trees and creating new woodland a straightforward process for landowners."The charity has organised volunteers for the planting, which is part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund.Gareth Ellis, head of energy and environment at the university, said it would contribute to its "ambitious net zero targets whilst providing a useful research resource for our students and academics".He added: "It's a fantastic opportunity to build an asset that not only benefits the local community, but enables our world-leading experts to continue their vital research into environmental sustainability."The area will "help to capture carbon from the atmosphere whilst providing an accessible green space for the local community through a series of existing footpaths and access rides", the university added.A public planting day is taking place from 11:00 to 15:00 GMT on 9 February.
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