Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed helped to plant some of the first trees at the new Doddington Forest last week, alongside children from Wooler Middle School. In total, more than 600,000 trees will be planted at the site - the largest planting scheme in England for a generation. Those trees will help secure the future of rural businesses and local residents have been very supportive of the scheme which will provide opportunities for forest education for local school pupils - and better access to a bouldering site. It will extend the red squirrel buffer zone, helping to protect that iconic species.
And as the trees grow, they will provide new habitats for many other birds and beasts - as well as soaking up carbon from the atmosphere. There will be new jobs too, in site preparation, tree planting and management.
Anne-Marie said “The last few weeks have brought some fantastic news for the environment of our beautiful area. Last Friday I was honoured to plant some of the first trees in the new Doddington Forest, alongside children from Wooler Middle School. Doddington is a great example of modern, mixed forestry. A combination of conifer and broadleaf trees which will deliver multiple benefits - for Northumberland’s economy, environment and communities.”
“It was really poignant for me that the children were there to help with the planting, as this is an investment in their future, and the environment they will inhabit for their lifetimes. The respect that we have for the land and our natural environment, as we plant the largest forestry scheme in England for a generation right here in Northumberland, reflects the Government’s commitment to leaving our country in a better state than we found it.”