Hounslow Council has teamed up with Energy Garden to plant a new forest in Blenheim Park. Feltham.
The Council is responding to local people who have been campaigning for more greening of Feltham areas – including Blenheim Park. The forest will increase biodiversity, combat climate change by storing carbon, and provide a shaded ‘cool zone’.
The new trees will be small, they’re known as whips, and will be planted using the Miyawaki method. This uses a dense planting technique, placing the trees close together, which quickly establishes a forest ecosystem. This allows the trees to support one another, grow much faster, and be more resilient to disease, drought, and climate change.
The Miyawaki method is a fast-growing, dense forest planting technique developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, aiming to quickly establish a natural forest ecosystem, often on previously degraded land, using native species and dense planting.
The project will also feature the installation of bird and bat boxes, as well as bug hotels and a community orchard. It will be delivered in three phases, with the first community tree planting day establishing the first 1,000 little trees.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public spaces at Hounslow Council, said:
“Hounslow will soon be home to London’s second largest Miyawaki forest. At a time when the world’s ecosystems have never been more imperilled, Hounslow is stepping up to play its part in tackling climate change and increasing biodiversity. It will be wonderful to see local people getting involved with planting the trees and having a stake in this woodland, which will grow to support wildlife, and help to clean our air for many years to come.
“I’d like to thank Energy Garden for their support and enthusiasm and invite the people of Feltham and beyond, to join us in planting the very first trees for what will one day be, Feltham Forest.”
Agamemnon Otero, chief executive officer of Energy Garden, said:
“It has been a huge pleasure working with Hounslow Council to make this mini forest happen in the heart of Feltham.
“Beyond welcoming residents for the community planting day on April 6th,we will be inviting people to join educational sessions once the planting is complete. Now a part of Energy Garden’s network of green spaces, Feltham Forest will become a place to connect with community and learn about the environment for decades to come.”
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