A small group of local volunteers helped us plant 500 trees in one day for native wildlife conservation!

Six enthusiastic local volunteers – the youngest, Owen, being just 12 years old – assisted Conservation Officer Jack recently, in planting 500 trees in various wild spaces in our grounds. All in aid of wildlife conservation!

Tree planting volunteer, Owen, age 12

We are always looking at ways to improve our carbon footprint, and already have our own willow plantation for supplying our animals with fresh browse and enrichment. This time however, Jack wanted to look at filling some of our wild spaces – including the land behind our Tortoise Country exhibit and on the farm next to our paddock of red deer. He was also keen to concentrate on planting some of our own native species of tree – including: Oak, hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, dogwood, dogrose, aspen, alder, field maple, rowen and crab apple.

Our superstar volunteers hard at work

A huge shout out to the not for profit The Conservation Volunteers for donating the array of tree saplings used as part of their ‘I Dig Trees’ initiative. I Dig Trees is a planting programme that supports OVO Energy’s Planting Promise which sees one million trees planted each year.

Jack enthused:

[Pullout] “The flowers and blossom from blackthorn and rowan will encourage insects and the bright red berries of the rowan and hawthorn will help to feed our native birds through the cold winter months.” [/Pullout]

It was a wonderful opportunity to get members of the public to join our efforts, see more of what we do at the park and to view some of our exotic residents – as well as keep an eye out for some Welsh native wildlife that shares the space. The group spotted chaffinches, centipedes, woodlice and plenty of earth worms during their busy day with us!

Tree planting near the Red Deer paddock

Jack was super happy with the help:

[Pullout] “I was so appreciative of everyone’s efforts and we hope to welcome wildlife volunteers back in the future to help with more conservation initiatives to help our native wildlife.” [/Pullout]

So a huge Folly thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Sarah and son Owen, Peter, and three brothers Ethan, Eli and Eben, (and of course to Jack and Jamie from the Folly Farm team). You should all be so proud of your efforts and we’re so grateful to you all!

Folly staff Jack and Jamie were joined by volunteers Peter, Ethan, Eben and Eli, Owen and Sarah