RESIDENTS in Warwickshire are encouraged to plant a tree for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and the Warwickshire Lieutenancy are encouraging individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses to get involved in The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – a tree planting scheme to mark the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.
Warwickshire’s Lord Lieutenant took part in the latest QGC tree-planting ceremony in the county with sea cadet Chloe Reading at Snitterfield Village Hall.
The planting of a new cherry tree and a mountain ash tree was supervised by Ed Holmes of Snitterfield Tree Action Group and the event, was attended by over 70 guests.
Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox, who is the Queen’s representative in the county, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a brilliant project and a wonderful way to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which celebrates a remarkable 70 years on the throne – the longest of any monarch in this country. This exciting scheme means many individual trees will be planted, but will also generate, we hope, more ambitious schemes such as new woodlands.
“The traditional British planting season runs up until the end of March, and trees can still be planted as part of the QGC project until the end of the year, so there is still time for people to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’, or to plan their planting projects as a community group, school, business, or organisation.”
Reflecting on Her Majesty’s official Platinum Jubilee date earlier this month, Mr Cox added: “I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to The Queen on achieving her official Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 6 February 2022. Throughout my lifetime, including since becoming Warwickshire’s Lord Lieutenant from April 2013, she has continued to serve our country for over seven decades, and this amazing achievement as our longest reigning Monarch is unlikely to ever be repeated.
“This extraordinary milestone is also a great opportunity for local communities to get together to celebrate this wonderful achievement, especially as the power of our communities working together is such a strong part of Warwickshire life.”
With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC celebrates Her Majesty’s 70 years of service, and will create a legacy in honour of the Queen’s leadership of the nation. Anyone can get involved in planting a tree for the Jubilee, or mark the occasion with a physical or virtual commemorative plaque in keeping with the environmental focus.
WCC’s environment spokeswoman Coun Heather Timms said: “We hope as many people as possible will get involved in this fantastic project. The challenges we face through climate change are unprecedented and can only be overcome through a concerted effort to minimise our carbon footprint.
“Planting trees is a wonderful positive step to take, as trees produce oxygen and help remove harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while creating beautiful, uplifting outdoor environments and providing new habitats for wildlife.”
Visit queensgreencanopy.org/get-involved to get involved in planting a tree over the next few weeks during peak planting season, or to set-up a commemorative plaque.
Trees planted can be added to the QGC map which will be presented to the Queen as part of the Jubilee celebrations.
Alongside the QGC, Warwickshire’s Lord Lieutenant is also encouraging communities to take part in a national lighting of the beacons event during the official Platinum Jubilee weekend from the June 2 to 5.
