Vauxhall’s contribution to the Heart of England Forest has continued to grow, with green-fingered employees already contributing to the planting of more than 1,000 trees over the past two years.
Coinciding with World Environment Day (June 5th), Vauxhall’s support of the forest, located near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, has taken a step further.
Vauxhall is providing additional funding for the planting of more trees and helping to give local school children the opportunity to experience the woodland and learn more about conservation by supporting transport costs for local school visits. Through its own employee CSR programme, Vauxhall is also planning a ‘mass planting’ of trees in the autumn by engaging its undergraduate population in a special CSR day as part of the Forest’s plan to plant 15,000 trees in a day.
The forest’s goal is to eventually reach 30,000 acres, and Vauxhall is keen to help it achieve that by becoming a founder member of its ‘20 per cent by 2020’ campaign – the objective being to reach 6,000 acres, 20 per cent of the 30,000 acre vision, by the year 2020.
Karen Woodgate, Partnerships Director at the Heart of England Forest, said: “We are delighted to be developing our partnership with Vauxhall further and welcome it as a founding partner for our 20 per cent by 2020 milestone goal! Like Vauxhall, we believe that protecting and investing in our natural environment is incredibly important.
“Vauxhall’s support is significant and will make both an immediate and long-term difference; together we are planting tomorrow’s great native woodland, creating a wonderful natural resource and future national asset. Situated right in the heart of England we are equidistant from Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and Luton sites and very much hope to welcome many of their employees to visit or volunteer and see the amazing impact they are making.”
“We’re extremely proud to be extending our partnership with the Heart of England Forest,” said Ian Allen, Vauxhall’s Regulatory Affairs Manager. “It not only gives something back from an environmental perspective but also helps local children experience the countryside they have on their doorstep.”
The Heart of England Forest’s mission is to restore and rebuild some of the lost ancient forest that meandered across the Warwickshire countryside. They have already planted over 3,000 acres of trees, the equivalent of 10 Hyde Parks.
