Help make Eastleigh a leafier place to live
Plant Eastleigh tree planting initiative launches
Residents are being offered the chance to sponsor a new tree in the Borough through a new initiative called Plant Eastleigh.
People will be able to sponsor a tree for £10, with the option to attend one of two tree planting days at Itchen Valley Country Park, where they can put the trees in the ground themselves. The planting days will take place on 29 January and 12 February, between 10am and 2pm.
The tree will be whips (young, single stem trees), which will be planted alongside others to expand an area of native woodland. As they grow, they will provide habitats for local wildlife.
The trees will be provided from the council’s own tree nursery in Horton Heath. Over six thousand trees are currently growing at the nursery to be planted out into the Borough over future planting seasons.
The council has the aim of having 160,000 more trees in the Borough by the year 2030 and Plant Eastleigh sponsorship is just one way the council is aiming to achieve this. The council has recently consulted on a new Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which ensures trees are fully considered by developers and that there is a net gain of trees on development sites.
Cabinet Lead for the Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, said: “We're excited to give residents the opportunity to join us on our tree planting journey by offering them the chance to sponsor a new tree in Itchen Valley Country Park, one of the Borough’s most visited family destinations. This is just the start of our long-term plans to make Eastleigh a leafier place to live.”
In the coming months and years Plant Eastleigh plans to expand its list of planting locations, offer the opportunity to dedicate larger trees to mark an occasion, and involve local businesses and community organisations in tree planting.
To find out more and to sponsor a tree visit www.planteastleigh.co.uk