Vaillant has announced that it is joining forces with environmental charity, Earthwatch Europe, to expand its Tiny Forest initiative in the UK.
The programme aims to plant Tiny Forests in urban areas where access for local communities to verdant green spaces is limited or non-existent. Together they will create beautiful and accessible green spaces in built-up, urban environments, which can be enjoyed by local residents, schools, communities and organisations long-term.
Each Tiny Forest fits within an area the size of a tennis court and is planted with 600 varieties of local species of trees, shrubs and plants to encourage wildlife back to the area, as well as helping process rainfall and capture carbon. All trees and plants are specially selected to suit the site conditions. This tree-planting methodology encourages rapid growth and minimises maintenance so that the forest can be quickly established and easily looked after by a team of local volunteers.
The first project, set to be unveiled later this year, is currently seeing Vaillant working alongside a council to select a location where it can best provide much needed city-centre green space for educational and well-being activities. This Tiny Forest will contribute towards Vaillant’s Corporate Social Responsibility and the local council’s carbon footprint reduction.
Steve Cipriano, Commercial Director at Vaillant, said: “Supporting the local communities in which Vaillant operates has been a long-standing commitment for the business and we are always looking for new ways to make a tangible change.
“If there is one point that has come out of the past year, it is how important green spaces are to our well-being. This first Vaillant Tiny Forest aims to make a real difference to those living in the area, providing them with a space to create, maintain and enjoy. Looking ahead, we’re already excited about future Tiny Forests and working with social housing providers, local authorities and specifiers to create even more urban greenspaces across the country.”
Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest Senior Programme Manager at Earthwatch, said: “Tiny Forests provide rich opportunities for connecting young people with the environment and sustainability. It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action from a young age. We are delighted to be working with Vaillant to bring Tiny Forests to communities across the UK.”
