Hundreds of trees planted at University of Exeter

Grounds staff will work with student volunteers at the Streatham Campus in Exeter and the Penryn Campus in Cornwall to plant the trees.

In Exeter on Saturday, trees including birch, oak, rowan and cherry will be planted in Hoopern and Taddiforde Valley, beside Prince of Wales Road.

In Penryn on Friday, varieties including hawthorn and blackthorn will be arranged to create wildlife “corridors” at the south end of the campus.

“Hoopern and Taddiforde Valley is designated a County Wildlife Site and includes an existing area of Jubilee Woodland, planted in partnership with the Woodland Trust,” said Iain Park, Assistant Director of Grounds.

“We want to further enhance the range of habitats for plants, birds, insects and animals by introducing more trees to the site.

“Using mainly native tree species, we hope that we will play our part in rebalancing some of the impacts of climate change, as part of the University’s ongoing commitment.”

About 400 trees are expected to be planted in Penryn on Friday by staff and students, with visitors from the local community also invited to take part.

“We are planting a variety of trees that will provide food and habitat for wildlife, as well as absorbing carbon,” said Professor David Hosken, the University of Exeter’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Cornwall.

“The University of Exeter declared an environment and climate emergency earlier this year, and planting trees on campus is one of the many ways we are now backing up those words with actions.”

It is currently National Tree Week, and the Woodland Trust wants a million people to plant a tree to help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

To find out more about the Big Climate Fightback, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk