During National Tree Planting Week members of The Well Communities in Kendal together with Natural England staff planted 250 trees within the grounds of the Westmorland General Hospital.

The trees were provided as part of the NHS Forest run by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. The tree species planted included hawthorn, crab apple, rowan, blackthorn, hazel and bird cherry. Many of these species will provide blossom in the spring so providing an important early nectar supply for insects. The fruit and berries produced in the Autumn will attract more wildlife onto the site such as mice, vole, fox, badger, song thrush, blackbird, fieldfare and waxwings, especially in harsh winters.

Yellow rattle seed was also sown within several grassland areas where wildflower plug plants were planted during the summer. These areas will now be left uncut during the summer to allow the wildflowers to grow, again adding to the biodiversity of the site.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and projects like this help to reverse this trend. By bringing Biodiversity into our urban areas we can help people to connect more with nature.

The University of Derby have shown that noticing nature and engaging in simple activities in nature such as listening to bird song, or watching an insect are key to developing a connection with nature and this has been shown to benefit not just the health and wellbeing of humans but also nature.

Following this event it is hoped that the partnership between Natural England and The Well Communities will continue, providing more opportunities for the residents to connect with nature and aid its recovery.

The tools for this project were provided by Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape and People Plant Trees. People Plant Trees are a community interest company based in Carlisle who plant trees., and you can find our more their actives here www.peopleplanttrees.co.uk