The Community Tree Project

The Community Tree Project provides an opportunity for everyone to grow trees as part of a scheme aiming to preserve the continuation of local trees in the Vale landscape.

...it's fun, and it's FREE!

The Project involves volunteers and schools collecting seed from native trees and shrubs in ancient woodlands and hedgerows, and in growing these on for replanting in the local landscape. During March 2000 alone, nearly 2,500 trees and shrubs were planted in the Forest of Marston Vale.

We are expanding our activities to cover the whole of Bedfordshire over the next three years. New volunteers are always welcome! Who can join? EVERYONE - including:

• Individuals and families
  (children over 8 years)
• Schools
• Tree Wardens
• P3 / Conservation Groups
• Horticultural Clubs
• Disabled access is available

During 1999 the project:

	Involved 10 local schools and 450 school children
	Collected over 250,000 seeds and cuttings from 17 different species
	Had 300 volunteers attending events
	Grown on over 15,000 trees from seed or cuttings from last year's collections.

As the project grows, so does Clophill Nursery where the seeds have been planted and nurtured with the help of the Environmental Task Force, The Bedfordshire Conservation Volunteers, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, students and community groups.

The success of the annual open evening, attraction of link organisations, provision of advice to other interested groups and expansion of the Tree Growers Club, all served as a measure of the progress of the Community Tree Project throughout this year.