Queen’s Green Canopy
Go green for the Queen! That is the message to residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as Her Majesty prepares to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
Next year marks 70 years of the monarch on the throne, and to celebrate the anniversary and create a lasting legacy a UK-wide tree planting initiative named The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) has been established.
The unique scheme involves inviting people to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee,” with everyone encouraged to plant trees from October – when the tree planting season begins – through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.
With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage the planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations.
And to drive the push locally, both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are working with the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence, to raise awareness of the QGC and to work with residents, groups, schools, businesses and other partners to encourage and support their participation.
The councils are also working to identify sites across their estates where larger scale planting projects can take place.
Julie Spence, The Queen’s representative in the county, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful initiative to ensure a lasting legacy which reflects Her Majesty’s remarkable contribution to public life.
“I hope residents, communities, schools and businesses will join me in helping to make our area even greener and push us towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral.
“It is vital, though, that everyone remembers to Plan, Plant and Protect so we can ensure the trees last well into the next century and beyond. For that reason I would encourage everyone to visit the official website for more information.”
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Enhancing Cambridgeshire’s environment is one of this administration’s priorities, so we fully embrace this initiative and would encourage everyone to get involved.
“I can’t wait to see all the trees popping up throughout the county, helping us to make it a greener and more tranquil place to live in and enjoy!”
As well as leaving a lasting legacy for the Queen, the tree planting will support the environmental ambitions of both authorities, including the target to achieve zero carbon emissions.
It will also help remedy the fact that the county is among the least wooded areas of the UK and will create an improved natural environment for residents.
Everyone is invited to take part and it is easy to get involved – whether you are an expert gardener or complete novice there is something you can do. This ranges from individuals planting trees on their private land, community planting projects, schools planting trees on their premises and businesses setting up tree planting projects with employees.
There is also plenty of help and advice available – including what types of trees to plant and how to look after them – at https://hes32-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fqueensgreencanopy.org%2fget%2dinvolved%2fplan%2f&umid=9b10b6f1-b4a7-4fba-a13f-afb0d728a9c6&auth=73bef1691750f88fd854efaaa37c6473a4e78491-6f3d8281a35ff0e2d44464989f4762b1e52d82e3.
The Woodland Trust is an official project partner and can support your school or community project – https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/.
The councils are also encouraging the use of sustainable tree guards for planting projects rather than traditional plastic guards which have a negative impact on the environment. You can find out more at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/research-and-evidence/plastic-tree-guards/.
A national map – https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/#/will – be hosted on the national QGC website where you can add your planting project and view the contribution being made across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
As well as inviting the planting of new trees, the QGC will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the UK and identify 70 ancient trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
People taking part in the project can highlight their efforts and encourage other contributions on social media via the hashtags #PlantATreeForTheJubilee and #QueensGreenCanopy.
Further information can be found at: https://queensgreencanopy.org/ and https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/climate-change-energy-and-environment/improving-the-natural-environment/trees-and-woodland/queens-green-canopy-project.
Hilton Parish Council are planting a new copse at the end of Wragg’s Row near the Wilderness which will be dedicated to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
