News

• All 72 Severn Trent Tiny Forests have now been planted celebrating the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

• Severn Trent on the lookout for volunteer Tree Keepers to help maintain and monitor sites

• Castle Bromwich Scouts becomes first Tiny Forest site to recruit Tree Keepers

Following on from the successful planting of 72 Tiny Forest sites across the Midlands this year to celebrate Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Severn Trent is now on the lookout for Tree Keepers who will play an important role in caring for the sites and track the positive impact each forest has on the environment. 

With the support of Severn Trent and Earthwatch Europe, a team of up to four Tree Keepers will be recruited to take care for each Tiny Forest site planted in the community, with the team being responsible for monitoring and maintaining their Tiny Forest.Tree Keepers will also be trained to collect data from the Tiny Forest to assess the ecosystem benefits of each site, such as noting the different kinds of wildlife it attracts.

The first site to recruit Tree Keepers is that of the 237th Castle Bromwich Scout Group, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Over 130 people joined their planting day in April, and four scout leaders have been recruited as the first Tree Keepers.Group

Scout Leader, Simon Cardall, said: “As a Scout Group we are incredibly excited to be a custodian of one of these wonderful sites. Tiny Forests are a fantastic resource for communities, and we know that for our group in particular we are set to experience and learn so much from them - from helping to maintain the site and watching it grow, to monitoring the environmental benefits it will bring. 

“Plus the real bonus is that we will be able to involve our Scout members in the Tree Keeper activities, which will allow us to ensure that the benefits continue for generations to come.”

Ricky Dallow, Forestry Creation Manager at Severn Trent, said: “Each of the 72 Tiny Forest sites plays an important role in not only helping to deliver a lasting legacy for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games but also boosting access to green space in urban areas, increasing regional resilience against environmental issues such as flooding, heat stress and nature loss and supporting environmental education.

“There are lots of different ways that Tree Keepers can get involved with their Tiny Forest, and when these tasks are split between all the Tree Keepers, we expect each individual will only need to spend a couple of hours a month helping to care for the Tiny Forest.”

As Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter, Severn Trent, with support from local communities and environmental charity Earthwatch Europe, has created 72 tennis-court-sized Tiny Forests across the region this year, one for each of the nations and territories competing in the Games. 

Hannah Davidson, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch Europe, said: “We were delighted to work with Severn Trent to bring Tiny Forests to so many schools and communities across the West Midlands; leaving a positive and lasting legacy for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Tiny Forest presents rich and varied opportunities to partner in tackling the environmental crisis, connect people with nature and make a valuable contribution to science.

“Being a Tree Keeper is a great opportunity to get more involved in your local Tiny Forest's development and track the environmental impact of the site.”

In addition to the 72 Tiny Forests planted across the Midlands, one for each of the nations and territories competing in the games, Severn Trent also planted a further two Tiny Forests - one at its reservoir in Shustoke, in recognition of former board member Dame Angela Strank's services to sustainability, and the other at its Stanford Reservoir site.

Interested in finding out more about becoming a Tree Keeper at a Tiny Forest site near you? Please get in touch with forestdelivery@Severntrent.co.uk