Local Scouts, Cubs and Beavers will be teaming up with Bedgebury National Pinetum and the Woodland Trust, to plant hundreds of rare trees on Saturday 6th October, to coincide with National Conifer Week.

This is part of a nation-wide ‘Scouts For Trees’ initiative launched by The Woodland Trust and The Scout Association to give the 400,000 Scouts in the UK the chance to plant a tree to mark the Centenary of Scouting in 2007.

Chris Reynolds, Curator of the National Pinetum explains; “These plantings will mark the start of a long-term project to plant thousands of trees from all over the world in the Pinetum. This living gene bank will help ensure the long-term survival of endangered trees”.

“The day will focus on planting the first trees in our South American area. “ Continues Chris. “First we will show each Scout group how we propagate the trees in our nursery. Then we’ll take them up to the planting site and talk about why trees are threatened and why they need our help. Then finally they will plant a tree. Every tree planter will get a certificate with the name of the tree and its number, so that they can come back and see how it grows. It’s a great opportunity for young people to learn about and engage in woodland conservation.”

The joint venture is part of the Woodland Trust’s ‘Tree For All’ campaign, the biggest ever children’s tree planting operation, which aims to involve one million children in planting twelve million trees across the UK – the equivalent to one tree for every child under the age of sixteen. Already over 3.5 million trees have been planted as part of Tree For All.

270 Scouts from eleven packs across Sussex and Kent will be at Bedgebury on Saturday 6th October in two groups (10am – 12 noon and 1pm – 3pm).

Press enquires to:
Peter d'Aguilar, 01580 211044 ext 233. peter.d'aguilar@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
For more information, please visit www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury

Note to editors
Open 365 days a year, Bedgebury (managed by the Forestry Commission) is now the perfect place for walking, cycling, riding and playing in a spectacular world of trees. The National Pinetum is a world-class collection of dramatic conifers and provides a beautiful setting for a country walk in all seasons. The two thousand-acre Bedgebury Forest now offers miles of family cycling, mountain-biking, riding, walking, Go Ape and adventure play for all ages and abilities. The new Visitor Centre has cycle hire, refreshments, showers and an education/community room. As a location for healthy outdoor activity in a beautiful setting, Bedgebury is in a class of its own.