Trees and woodlands are a sanctuary for people and wildlife. This year, for Woodland Connections Week, we’ve joined the Wrexham Forest Partnership to host a series of events and talks throughout the week to show people just how special they are.
Several trees around Wrexham County have been chosen to pay homage to the ‘Seeking Sanctuary’ theme. Each tree has been nominated for offering ‘Sanctuary’ in one way or another. Amongst the trees are the winner of 2023 UK Tree of the Year, the Wrexham Sweet Chestnut, a 484 year old veteran in the heart of Acton Park.
Terry Evans, lead member of the Environment and Technical Department says “It’s been a delight to work with organisations that have such passionate interest for trees and woodlands in Wrexham. This shared vision for our tree assets means we are investing time, effort and funding for the benefit of open spaces for people and nature for future generations.’
Wrexham Forests Partnership is a collective of organisations who have signed Wrexham’s Woodland Pledge as a demonstration of their commitment to increasing tree canopy cover, and protecting existing trees and woodland across the county borough.
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One of the commitments is to “improve health and wellbeing through encouraging and enabling connections with nature and woodland”. The Woodland Connections Week provides opportunities for anyone across Wrexham to do just that.
Rachel Alexander, NRW People and Places Officer, said, “Wrexham Forest Partnership’s Woodland Connections Week is a great opportunity to emphasise the importance of urban tree cover.
“Trees and woodlands are known to promote a sense of health and wellbeing in local communities, therefore resulting in an enhanced quality of life for people living and working in Wrexham.
“Trees in urban areas can also link areas of green space for both people and wildlife, filtering airborne dust and offering a noise buffer from industrial areas, whilst also making a vital contribution in the fight against climate change.”
Join in activities taking place across Wrexham starting on Saturday 15th June with a guided tour of the city centre trees followed by a bat and moth night in Llwyneinion Woods. The week continues with fireside sessions at Alyn Waters Country Park, an Ancient Tree Talk at Ty Pawb and a Summer Solstice Forest Bathing walk through Plas Power Woods.
To find out more about these events visit Wrexham Forest Partnership facebook page. Places are limited, so book your place soon by contacting woodlandpledge@wrexham.gov.uk .
No time to get to these events? You won’t miss out! Visit one of the Sanctuary Trees across Wrexham with a friend or family member and reflect on what Sanctuary means to you or explore the tree to discover what wildlife resides here.
Sorrel Taylor from Erlas Victoria Walled Garden says, “We are proud to be hosting one of the Sanctuary Trees here. It provides people with an opportunity to take some time out, and reconnect with nature – a really valuable wellbeing experience.”
To find your nearest ‘Sanctuary Tree’ find our map on display at Ty Pawb or read all about it on our blog
You too can nominate your own Sanctuary tree! All you need to do is send in a photograph, location point and a brief description about why your tree is a sanctuary to you, your community or wildlife. Send your entries to woodlandpledge@wrexham.gov.uk and we’ll publicise your tree for you. Make sure you have the landowner’s permission.
This week has been made possible with support from Coed Cadw, The Woodland Trust in Wales using the Emergency Tree Fund Terry Evans, Lead member for Environment and Technical Department states ‘this funding has been vital in our efforts to increase canopy cover and improve connectivity between woodlands for biodiversity and has brought the multi-faceted importance of trees and woodlands into the public arena within Wrexham.’
We look forward to seeing you beside a tree soon!
Our mission is tocreate connections between people, organisations, interests, and issues to deliver the vision.
Our vision is that communities across the County acknowledge and celebrate our tree heritage; and that partners and communities actively work together to create a connected landscape where trees old and new, are at the heart of Wrexham now and for future generations.
About Wrexham County Council
Trees and woodlands are an essential part of our towns and countryside. They are important for our health, wellbeing and quality of life. We cannot take their future for granted.
Climate change, pests and diseases, building development, modern agricultural practices and misplaced perceptions of risk are just some of the problems that threaten our trees.
At Wrexham Council we have developed the ‘Woodland Pledge’ to help protect trees and woodlands across the county borough. The pledge also encourages people to get outdoors to enjoy trees and woodlands in their neighbourhood.
Have you signed the pledge yet?
Show your support for trees and woodlands and sign up to our woodland pledge at Wrexham Woodland Pledge | Wrexham County Borough Council
About Coed Cadw, The Woodland Trust in Wales
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.
The Trust has three key aims:
1. protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable.
2. restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life.
3. plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,200 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 2,897 hectares (7,155 acres). Access to its woods is free, so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.
The Trust’s Welsh language name, “Coed Cadw”, is an old Welsh term, used in mediaeval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/wales
