Newcastle International Airport plants 43,567 new trees
The most recent phase of our ambitious woodland planting project was completed last month, with 17,000 trees being planted to create an additional 10.42 hectares of woodland – equivalent in size to around 14 football pitches.
The new woodland areas created by the planting project will form part of the North East Community Forest (NECF), with funding being provided by the scheme’s ‘Trees for Climate Grant’ and facilitated by Tilhill Forestry, a member of BSW Group.
Trees for Climate is a Defra backed grant which is delivered through England's Community Forests, tailored to the tree planting needs of communities and landowners across both urban and rural areas.
Alice Andreasen, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer said: “We are committed to being a responsible organisation as well as a good neighbour.
“This woodland planting project will not only help us to improve the biodiversity on our land but will also help us move closer to our Net Zero Carbon 2035 goals by working to offset some of our emissions.”
Lloyd Jones, Forest Manager at the NECF, said: “Planting trees is always an enjoyable and rewarding experience and I’m delighted we have been able to work with Newcastle International Airport, Tilhill Forestry and other partners to deliver this phase of the project.
“In time these trees will help to turn the tide on biodiversity loss, improve air quality, reduce the risk of flooding, create new green spaces and habitats for birds and wildlife and help to tackle climate change.
“This project is another significant step towards us achieving our goals of improving our natural environment and creating happier and healthier communities for everyone.”
Airport and community volunteers armed with wellies and spades also recently helped to plant a further 900 native bulbs and six large specimen trees at the Abbotswood area of woodland in Woolsington as part of a community planting day.
A new 142 metre access track will be installed at the site, alongside an interpretation board which will educate and inform visitors about the environment around them.
A total of 4.46 kilometres of hedgerow were also planted on Airport land in both Northumberland and Newcastle as part of the project.
Cllr Marion Williams, Cabinet member for a Sustainable City at Newcastle City Council, said: “It’s great to see Newcastle International Airport taking a leading role in creating more woodland areas.
“This project is a good example of how partners across the region can work together to create a positive impact on the environment.”
Tilhill Forestry, the UK's largest forest management firm, was appointed as the forest agent for the project and was responsible for tree planting and maintenance.
Jack Morris Wilson, Forest Manager Tilhill Forestry added “As a company we are pleased to have been able to contribute to this significant delivery of new woodland creation in Northumberland and Newcastle. Working with the funders NECF and Newcastle International Airport we have used our in-house grant funding experience and ecologists from our team on the delivery of this project, and we are delighted to have been involved with both Phase 1 and 2 of the Airport woodland and hedge planting, along with the landscaping and community works on the land holding. This scheme has been sympathetically designed to use minimal plastic creating woodlands and hedgerows that fit within the local landscape.”
