How Seed Has Contributed to This Year’s Earth Day
Every year on April 22nd, people across the world celebrate Earth Day to help protect the planet and spread awareness of the damaging effects of global warming, in the hope to make our world a happier and healthier place to live.
As part of this year’s earth day, we wanted to help restore green spaces for local communities across Brighton & Hove. That’s why last month a group of us planted 100 small trees (whips) on Surrenden Road in Brighton with the help of CPRE Sussex, who supports and promotes the Sussex countryside.
Why We Planted Trees
Elm trees across Brighton & Hove have been lost due to disease and age and this has left green spaces across the city looking depleted and sparse. Local residents of Surrenden Road fundraised to replant native tree species which will be allowed to mature into a natural hedge, creating a woodland edge to provide protection and screening for new replacement trees being planted. This type of tree planting is sustainable, requires minimal aftercare and provides excellent biodiversity and green corridors for wildlife.
Ben Galley & David Brookhouse from Brighton & Hove City Council led the tree planting session with support from Jenni Cresswell (CPRE Sussex). With a small demonstration on how to plant the whips, we were ready to get going! We each took it in turns to dig large holes for the roots of the trees to spread out evenly whilst the other firmly pressed a piece of wood into the ground next to the base of the tree. We then had to firmly wrap a guard around the tree and piece of wood, making sure there weren’t any gaps in the guard. We finished by adding some mulch to limit weed growth at the base of the tree.
Urban green spaces and residential greenery such as the woodland edge we’ve created on Surrenden Road, can help to promote mental and physical health whilst reducing exposure to air pollution. By planting 100 small trees we’ve helped reduce around 16.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, this is roughly the equivalent of driving 59,651 miles in a diesel car!
You can do your part for Earth Day by organising activities such as a beach clean or tree planting or finding local events near you. You can also donate to Earth Day and join them in the fight against climate change.
How We Can Support You
We’re hoping to help more local communities across Brighton & Hove to offset the damaging and harmful effects high levels of CO2 have on our environment. If you’re a charity looking for volunteers to help improve and help the environment then drop us a line on 01273 286 616 or email us at harry@helloseed.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help in any way possible!
Head to our Instagram to see a reel of how the day went!
