A message from our founder - Help us plan for the future

This week I would have been welcoming the first school children to their wood to explore which plants and creatures have started to make it their home. However as we face a new and very immediate threat of Coronavirus, all our activities at the woodland are on hold and so I’ve had a bit more headspace to reflect on the journey of Andover Trees so far.  

Nearly 10 years ago my life took an unexpected turn when, with the help of a wonderful group of people, we set out to plant trees with all the young people in our town. Working with enthusiastic and inspiring volunteers, 8,000 young people and their teachers from across Andover and the Test Valley has been a hugely rewarding experience.

However, this project was never just about planting trees but something far bigger; to connect people with nature and help the decision makers of tomorrow to understand the threats to us all of biodiversity loss and climate change.

I miss the children and the woodland. However our team will be continuing to support the pupils and teachers from our partner schools with activities for home learning and I do get up to the woods for my daily exercise.

Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and planet and, although events like Andover’s Day Of Climate Action which was planned for Friday will now be postponed, I hope to connect with the environmental movement online and continue to shine a spotlight on our fantastic community woodland in our little corner of the world.

Tomorrow will also be day 3 of our crowdfunding campaign to win a place in this year’s GlobalGiving Climate Action Fund (the largest global crowdfunding community connecting charities and companies around the world).

To win our place in the fund we need to have as many donors as possible, regardless of amount, as each donation acts as a vote for us to become one of GlobalGiving's main Climate Projects, bringing ongoing support across the year. Further to this, any donations made THIS WEEK will also attract match-funding by Global Giving.

Donate and share: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/support-10000-children-plant-10000-trees-for-you/

At a time when we are struggling with the lockdown and its impact on our lives, this is not an easy ask, however we would be honoured if you choose to support us and, thinking about the future beyond the current crisis, help us to support thousands more young people across Andover and the Test Valley. 

THANK YOU if you already have made a donation. It means the world.

Stay safe, stay well and love to you all. Wendy X