Army lands to be planted with thousands of trees

07/04/2011 09:14:35 Defence Estates and Woodland Trust support troops and plant trees

April 2011. Defence Estates (DE) and the Woodland Trust (WT) have launched a partnership which could see thousands of hectares of woodland planted to help British soldiers train more effectively for military operations, whilst helping to achieve the Trust's aim of doubling the UK's woodland cover.

This groundbreaking agreement sees the first 160 hectares, 176,000 trees, planted at the Defence Training Estate (DTE) range at Warcop in Cumbria. Training provided at Warcop and other DTE sites across the UK is vital in preparing troops for operational deployment. The partnership enables the Ministry of Defence to improve training facilities without extra costs.

At the same time as helping to train new troops, the trees planted will help the Woodland Trust to hit its target of creating thousands of hectares of new woodland each year and double woodland cover in the UK by 2050, as well as creating new habitats for wildlife and helping to increase biodiversity.

Defence Estates Deputy Chief Executive David Olney said: "Supporting our Armed Forces is the top priority for Defence Estates. We are delighted to join forces with the Woodland Trust and respond to military training needs in providing woodland cover which will benefit soldiers preparing for operations. This excellent initiative allows us to improve training facilities, whilst securing significant conservation and environmental benefits at no extra cost to the Ministry of Defence."

Stuart Dainton, head of partnerships at the Woodland Trust commented: "Our partnership with the MOD will play a significant role in helping to increase woodland cover in the UK, currently one of the lowest in Europe. It is a great example of working together, and whilst organisations have different motivations, ultimately everyone involved has benefited from the planting of trees."

Essential funding of over £100,000 and logistical support comes from the North Pennines AONB Partnership's Living North Pennines project, with extra money secured from carbon funders such as Waitrose and Eurocamp.