Branching out to raise awareness

Feb 9 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

CHILDREN rolled up their sleeves and put their green fingers to the test to take part in a special tree planting.

Youngsters aged between four and 13, all from Tynedale, planted saplings on the banks of the River Derwent to celebrate the important role trees play in our natural environment.

The session was organised by Northumbrian Water, owner and operator of the Derwent Reservoir and Velvet toilet tissue, which is made locally by SCA Hygiene Products Prudhoe Mill.

The latest step in Velvet’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability is its pioneering environmental initiative to ensure three trees are planted to replace each one it uses in the manufacturing process.

Northumbrian Water, the region’s water and waste-water treatment company, serving more than a million homes and businesses in the North East, operates an environmentally-focused land management programme, which includes wildlife habitat creation and restoration.

Tony Richards, factory and site manager at SCA said: “We want children to make the link between the things we do every day and what we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment.

“For example, remembering to switch lights off in an empty room, recycling paper or walking instead of taking the car, all help to demonstrate to young people that they can do their bit.

“And by planting new trees, we are also helping nature to soak up carbon dioxide pollution in the earth’s atmosphere. All green plants photosynthesise, absorbing carbon dioxide, turning it into food and releasing oxygen as a waste product. Trees are the quickest plants at doing this important job and also provide a great habitat for all sorts of wildlife, which is why we wanted to encourage local children to get outdoors and plant some trees.”

The group was led by Don Coe, Northumbrian Water’s leisure operations manager for waterside parks & fisheries. He showed the children how to plant a range of tree saplings from native species, including Mountain Ash, Alder, Silver Birch and Oak. Don said: “Northumbrian Water has an active woodland management programme on its land throughout the region and planting native deciduous trees is a key part of its success. It is important to the company that we, not only maintain and enhance our waterside parks for people, but that we also look after them in the right way for all creatures great and small.”

Emily Ward, 10, from Stocksfield, took part on the day with her brother Josh, six. She said: “I’m learning about how trees get rid of carbon dioxide in science. It was really good being able to plant lots of different kinds of trees that we can come and visit as they grow.”

Velvet’s ‘Three Trees’ initiative will see SCA invest a significant amount over the next three years, planting trees in key areas around the world which it has specifically identified through a number of worldwide tree-planting initiatives, in partnership with appointed forestry specialists.