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Stevenage Borough Council is inviting residents to take part in community woodland planting events being held at three parks.

The three new ‘micro-woods’ will be planted by the community at St Nicholas Park, Hampson Park and Shephalbury Park. Each wood will be around 200m2 – roughly the size of a tennis court.

Last year, the council applied for funding from DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund, which will support tree planting initiatives to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The council has been awarded just over £36,000 to create the new woods.

The micro-woods will be created using a planting method pioneered by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, which is particularly effective in the urban environment. The trees planted using this method grow much faster, jump starting the forest creation process and capturing more carbon. Higher biodiversity has been recorded in Miyawaki forests compared with neighbouring woodland, making it an ideal method for creating diverse woodland ecosystems quickly.

Councillor Simon Speller Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:

“We’re the only council in Hertfordshire to be awarded this funding. This reaffirms our commitment to making Stevenage a greener and more sustainable town.

“Every new tree planted will benefit our communities and helps to protect the environment. The micro-woods will each contain around 1,500 trees that will bring huge biodiversity benefits early in their life, reaching maturity in about 30 years when we will see small forests in three of our most popular parks.

“We look forward to the community getting involved – so please do come along and plant a tree if you can.”

The planting events will take place on Saturday 7 and 14 December and Saturday 11 January. To take part, please book online at the Eventbrite website.