Leeds volunteers plant trees

Members of our Leeds studio have been planting trees at the University of Leeds Gair Wood site. The project aims to plant 60,000 trees as part of a new 15 hectare broadleaf woodland that contributes towards the White Rose Forest.

Eight volunteers attended two sessions of tree planting at the 'living laboratory' science and research area within the wider woodland. The trees were planted in plots (quadrants) and information was recorded on the species, density and location of each tree. This information, along with the baseline surveys, will allow researchers to observe changes over time, looking at improvements in biodiversity, soil composition, carbon sequestration and air quality.

Once the woodland has established, it will be opened up to the public. New footpaths will link to the neighbouring Golden Acre Park and wider footpath network, giving the local community greater opportunity to engage with nature.

The woodland forms a carbon store as part of the “United Bank of Carbon” and will help contribute towards the university's target of reaching net zero. For more information, see Gair Wood : Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere & Forest (LEAF) Centre

Thanks go to Tom Walker, Alejandro Gatica, Lilianna Yu, Mathew Cockburn, Joseph D’Ambrogio, Alan Nowell, Jon Freeman and Yingming Hu.