Hundreds attend community tree planting (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hundreds attend community tree planting in Heartwood Forest

4:10pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

Volunteers braved the rain and mud to plant thousands of new trees in a Sandridge forest.

More than 700 people visited Heartwood Forest on Saturday to help plant 10,000 trees.

The event was the last of several planting sessions at the site that have been held as part of the Woodland Trust’s bid to create England’s largest native woodland.

Site manager Louise Neicho, said: "We’ve now planted 385,000 trees in three and a half years, every single one by a volunteer.

"This is a great example of long-term community involvement and the wood is really developing, so a big thank you to everyone who has helped."

More than 200 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association were among the volunteers to help out on Saturday.

Waseem Ahmad, president of the group, said: "We are proud to be working with the Woodland Trust to help the environment and make a lasting positive impact for our future generations.

"Our organisation is marking its centenary this year and what better way to celebrate this, than to plant trees that will benefit society for another 100 years."

Harpenden’s MP Peter Lilley was also on hand to help with the planting.

He said: "It is wonderful to see so many people brave the weather and join us today to support this extremely worthwhile project.

"Not only will the Heartwood Forest become one of the most attractive and interesting areas of British countryside, it will also act as a strong guarantee that the Green Belt in this area will not be concreted over."