Tree Planting
Join SFT at Common Lane in Mansfield Woodhouse to plant trees!
Location
- Thu 16 Jan 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 23 Jan 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wed 29 Jan 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 30 Jan 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wed 5 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 6 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wed 12 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 13 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wed 19 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 20 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wed 26 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
- Thu 27 Feb 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
50 positions available
What you will be doing
The role will involve helping to plant tree saplings (also called 'whips) in a large field. These trees will be a mixture of species native to Sherwood Forest, such as oak, silver birch, hazel, hawthorn, sweet chestnut, spindle, guelder rose, and dogwood.
Depending on the number of volunteers, attendees often work in pairs or groups of 3 and work together. The first stage will be to remove the grass from the top of the soil (also called 'screefing') using a mattock/pickaxe. Following this, using a spade a suitable hole will be dug for the tree, ensuring it is deep enough to completely cover the roots. Once the tree has been planted, a guard/tube will be placed over the top of the tree to protect it from herbivores (e.g. rabbit & deer), and it will then be secured with a wooden stake and zip ties.
Typically a group of 15 volunteers in one day can plant around 200 trees.
What we are looking for
No previous experience is required for this volunteering opportunity. Volunteers must be comfortable working outdoors in the winter, sometimes in rain/cold.
Appropriate training and demonstrations will be provided for the tool-use/tree planting.
Volunteers will ideally have a passion for nature, outdoors and tackling climate change!
What difference this will make
Our tree planting projects are focused on improving nature, biodiversity and mental health.
The overall project works towards helping to tackle climate change, improve flood mitigation, enhance biodiversity, and provide more jobs long-term in the environment sector.
In addition, our physical tree planting days offer an opportunity to get outdoors, become immersed in nature and contribute towards these environmental benefits. The majority of our volunteers find our tree planting days refreshing, inspiring and motivating, and comment that it has been beneficial to their mental health.
What to bring
Clothing: waterproofs, warm clothing, long sleeves, waterproof trousers, walking boots/wellies. Outdoor/gardening gloves if you have them.
All equipment is provided.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinking water if you are staying for the whole session.
Getting there
Meeting point: Along Vale Road where you will be directed to parking by SFT staff.
Google Maps link to meeting point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxkwDkP91PnPFADB8
W3W to meeting point: rang.furnish.novels
Public transport options:
- Bus from Mansfield Bus Station to Mayhall Avenue (every 10 minutes - No. 1 bus). 5 minute walk from Mayhall Avenue to the tree planting meeting point.
- Bus from Victoria Bus Station in Nottingham to Mayhall Avenue (every 10 minutes - Pronto bus from Nottingham, followed by No. 1 bus from Mansfield) via Mansfield Bus Station. 5 minute walk from Mayhall Avenue to the tree planting meeting point.
Facilities
Hot drinks/refreshments & drinking water provided, as well as cake/biscuits.
Lunch not provided.
Access to a toilet will be provided.
Accessibility
Unfortunately our tree planting site is not suitable for wheelchairs, however given that the planting site is set just off an access road - and parking will be on-site - the activity is suitable for those with mobility issues/limited mobility.
Specific tools will be used, e.g. spades, mallets and mattocks, however there are tasks available for those not comfortable using tools.
Ready to make a difference
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