Plant a Tree for the Jubilee

THE QUEEN'S 'GREEN CANOPY' INITIATIVE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

Throughout her reign, the Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees all over the world and to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, communities, charities, schools, councils and landowners across the four nations, will be encouraged to create a lasting legacy by doing the same.

The Queen's Green Canopy campaign, which will be led by Cool Earth, in partnership with the UK government and the Woodland Trust, will encourage people to come together to plant healthy, native trees, with the common purpose of 'greening' their local and national environments.

All UK counties will be invited to create a network of individual or specimen trees, tree avenues, copses and woodlands in honour of Her Majesty's 70 years of service to the nation.

"Expanding tree cover is key to the recovery of the world's natural environment, including here in Britain" said Tony Juniper CBE, Environmentalist and Cool Earth Trustee, "Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee marks an excellent opportunity to harness Cool Earth's expertise to help do that job."

"There is no more fitting way to celebrate Her Majesty's Jubilee than through striving to increase and protect our native tree cover which, for centuries, has played such a central role in the life of the nation. This is both about caring for and expanding our natural heritage and safeguarding its future for our children in the face of a combined climate and nature crisis." Said Dr Darren Moorcroft, CEO of the Woodland Trust.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson meanwhile alluded to the global Covid-19 pandemic which has changed the lives of all British citizens and generated a much greater public awareness of the need for green space:-

"This difficult year has reminded us all of the importance of the nature and green spaces that surround us. Trees have the potential to transform our communities, connect us with nature and provide homes for precious wildlife. They also have a huge role to play in tackling climate change as we build back greener from the pandemic. As we celebrate Her Majesty's incredible 70 years of service, I encourage everyone to get behind this scheme, and go 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.'"

The Queen's Green Canopy is due to be officially launched in May 2021 with more details about the initiative and how everyone can take part.