With the new planting season just around the corner, there’s much to be hopeful about as we roll out plans to restore habitats, strengthen biodiversity, and engage local communities. Let’s look at what lies ahead for 2024/25.
Our 2024/25 Planting Goals: Greener Spaces and Richer Ecosystems
Kicking off in September and running through February, Protect Earth is forecasting an ambitious planting season. This year, we aim to plant 44,540 trees and shrubs across the UK, transforming 57.44 acres into vibrant natural spaces. These new green spaces won’t just help absorb carbon; they’ll also become thriving habitats supporting diverse wildlife.
This season’s target represents a significant leap forward. We’re planting 36% more than last year and nearly 75% more than in the 2022/23 season. In terms of land area, we aim to convert 74% more land to natural habitat than last year, a remarkable increase from the 33 acres - almost double - converted in 2023/24.
The momentum behind this growth is exciting, but it’s not just about numbers. These projects are about creating spaces that actively contribute to our planet’s health while enriching the lives of those living nearby. One initiative we’re particularly excited about involves planting a mini-forest with a school in Oxford. Here, students will not only get their hands dirty by planting trees but also learn about the vital role these green spaces play in both personal well-being and the future of the UK’s environment.
The Potential to Double Our Impact This Year
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When you purchase from our new shop, you’ll be sent a certificate letting you know what species was planted and where it was planted. Protect Earth only plants the right species in the right space to encourage natural habitats to thrive. [/caption]
44,540 new saplings planted in 2024/25 is the floor. There is demand for much, much more this upcoming season, and we have gaps in the calendar to fit them in. There’s one thing we’re missing, and that’s money. It’s why we’ve launched a store selling trees and hedges as a single purchase or subscription. The demand Protect Earth is receiving to reforest the UK is greater than the money available from our funding partners. To that end, if you buy trees or hedges - or better yet, a monthly subscription - that money will directly fuel natural habitat redevelopment all across the UK starting today. The tree planting season has already begun and will continue for 5-6 months. In that time, we WILL plant 44,540 trees, but with your help, there’s scope, time, and demand to plant more than 100,000 saplings this year - doubling in one year what we’ve achieved in the last three years!
Where Protect Earth’s Projects Are Based This Season
This year, we’ll be planting in diverse regions across the UK.
East of England, North Wales, South-West Scotland, and North-West England: Each area will see 11% of our projects, with 25.6 acres being converted to natural habitats.
Mid-Wales: 22% of our activities are planned here, where we’ll be transforming 25.5 acres into rich, biodiverse spaces.
South-West England: Leading the charge with 33% of our projects, South-West England will see 6 acres transformed.
This wide distribution reflects our commitment to ensuring that various ecosystems—woodlands, grasslands, and hedgerows—are nurtured, contributing to biodiversity and climate resilience across the UK.
Biodiversity at the Core of Our Mission
At Protect Earth, we understand that simply planting trees isn’t enough to tackle the complex issues of climate change and biodiversity loss. That’s why our projects incorporate a range of ecosystems that each play unique roles in supporting biodiversity and combating environmental challenges.
This season, we’re thrilled that over half (51%) of the saplings we’re putting in the ground will be part of larger, ecosystem-focused projects on land directly managed by Protect Earth. These spaces, spanning 43 acres, will be restored to reflect the landscapes of centuries past.
On one of these sites, we’ll convert 14 acres into a rich natural habitat filled with native broadleaf trees and shrubs. The aim is to revive the soil and provide homes for various wildlife species, helping the land regenerate like an ancient woodland. Another 20-acre site will see birch, alder, rowan, wild cherry, hazel, and hawthorn flourish, creating a haven for wildlife while enhancing soil quality and biodiversity.
Both of these sites we manage are a mixture of new woodland, and other areas identified as biologically significant which need to be protected or enhanced, allowing what lives there to continue thriving in those spaces.
A Look Ahead
As we move forward, there’s an exciting possibility on the horizon—pending funding, an additional 22,000 saplings could be added to our totals this season! While not yet included in our forecasts, this project would significantly bolster our efforts to create more natural, resilient spaces across the UK.
Protect Earth believes restoring natural habitats is key to addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. By planting the right types of saplings in the right places, we’re not just creating greener landscapes but making and supporting ecosystems that can thrive.
Whether it’s creating spaces for wildlife to flourish or engaging the next generation in hands-on environmental education, the 2024/25 planting season promises to be a milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable, biodiverse future.
Be part of Protect Earth’s 2024/25 transformation!
Help us turn low-quality land into thriving natural habitats by donating to our Land Fund or buying trees and hedges for planting. Your support will boost biodiversity, sequester carbon, and create green spaces for everyone.