Published Monday 7 February 2022 at 14:22
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen are being invited to ‘dig in’ and help plant more than 7,000 new trees across the borough.
As part of the Council’s climate change agenda, more than a dozen small woodlands will be planted between now and March.
And residents are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and take part in a range of sessions which are set to start next week.
Councillor Zainab Rawat, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Assistant Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:
This is a big year for the Council as we’re really stepping up our work to help tackle climate change.
But, we know we can’t do it alone and we need the help and support of our residents.
This tree planting scheme is a fantastic way for people to get involved – it’s a chance to get outdoors, meet new people and do something really fun and worthwhile too.
Last week, I was lucky to visit the children at Avondale Primary School as they planted more than 240 trees on their school field in an educational part of the PlanT project and they absolutely loved it.
Blackburn with Darwen Council came together with other local authorities in Pennine Lancashire to bid to be part of the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund – the PlanT project with the Ribble Rivers Trust.
Funding for 7,000 new trees has now been secured with the first seven locations for the woodlands being identified in the borough.
As well as taking part in the planting, the Council is also asking residents to suggest possible locations for the small woodlands.
Councillor Rawat add:
One of the key priorities of our Climate Change Action Plan is to store carbon naturally by increasing tree cover, protecting soils and enhancing natural habitats.
We also know that the trees will help to enhance our green areas which we are so lucky to have here in our borough.
The Council’s Environment and Adult Learning Teams will be helping with the planting and can provide equipment where needed.
We hope people will come out and give it a go – how fantastic will it be to watch those trees grow and mature over the years.
It’s hoped more than 300 trees will be planted at the first session at River Darwen Parkway on Saturday, February 12th at 10am.
Full details of tree planting events:
| Date | Time | Location | Meet | Available Parking |
| Saturday 12th February | 10am | River Darwen Parkway | Millbrook Street, Lower Darwen, BB3 0PZ | On street |
| Monday 14th February | 10am | Arran Trail | Duttons Way, Blackburn, BB1 2QR | On street |
| Thursday 17th February | 10am | Arran Trail | Staffa Crescent, Blackburn, BB1 2AR | On street |
| Friday 18th February | 10am | Pleasington Playing Fields | Tower Road Car Park, Blackburn, BB2 5LE | Car Park |
| Tuesday 8th March | 10am | Royshaw | Cadshaw Close, Blackburn, BB1 8RN | On street |
| Wednesday 9th March | 10am | North Road | North Road, Blackburn, BB1 1AE | On street |
Depending on the number of volunteers at each session, it’s anticipated they will last between two and three hours.
Children are encouraged to take part but need to be accompanied by an adult.
Equipment will be available on the day, but if you do have a spade or a pair of gardening gloves, then please bring them along – as well as a hot drink if you like.
Volunteers are also advised to wear warm clothes and suitable footwear as it’s likely to be muddy.
For more information or to suggest a location for a woodland, please email: shuttle@blackburn.gov.uk