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Severn Trent has now reached an exciting milestone in its project to plant 72 Tiny Forest across the West Midlands, in celebration of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Over 10,000 trees have been planted with the support of Earthwatch Europe across 17 community groups and school sites in Walsall, Lichfield, West Bromwich and Birmingham over the first three weeks of planting, with further sites set to be planted in Wolverhampton, Coventry & Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Dudley and Hinckley over the next few weeks. 

Severn Trent’s Forest Delivery Manager, Ricky Dallow, said: “To have planted 10,000 trees across 17 sites in our first three weeks is a fantastic milestone and really shows the scale of the project and the impact that these Tiny Forests will have across the region. We have been overwhelmed by the support and interest that we’ve received from local communities so far, it’s been amazing to help communities plant trees that they will benefit from for generations to come.  

“We all know how important access to green space is for our health and wellbeing and as a company that takes care of one of life’s essentials, we’re really passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and work and we have no doubt that these small but mighty Tiny Forests are going to be a real asset to the West Midlands.” 

Andy Trueman, Director of Changing Lives Through Rugby CIC, the latest site to be planted in Erdington on Saturday, said: “Having recently taken charge of the Spring Lane site from Birmingham City Council, we are so excited to be part of this fantastic project. We intend for the site to be at the heart of the community, not only for sporting use, but also a place where local children can experience the natural appeal of this wonderful green space.  

“When we heard about the Tiny Forest concept, we knew this would provide a focal point to start the education of local children, but also provide an attraction for local schools to use the fields. We are so grateful to Severn Trent and Earthwatch for giving us this opportunity.” 

Jessica Fidler, Head of Sustainability, Birmingham 2022 said: “These Tiny Forests will make a big impact to people across the West Midlands and to reach 10,000 trees planted is really exciting and we all look forward to experiencing these nature-rich green spaces across the West Midlands that future generations will enjoy. 

“We want to make sure our sustainability initiatives - from planting trees to promoting cycling and public transport - have a lasting, positive impact on the local environment and communities.” 

As Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter, Severn Trent is creating 72 tennis-court-sized Tiny Forests across the region, one for each of the nations and territories competing in the Games. The sites will help to deliver a lasting legacy for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as well as boosting access to green space in urban areas, supporting environmental education and increasing regional resilience against environmental issues such as flooding, heat stress and nature loss. 

Earthwatch Europe, the environmental charity pioneering the Tiny Forest movement in the UK, is supporting Severn Trent in the delivery of the Tiny Forests, which can attract over 500 animal and plant species within the first three years of planting.   

Hannah Davidson, Tiny Forest Programme Manager at Earthwatch said: “We are delighted to be working with Severn Trent to connect so many local communities across the West Midlands with nature.” 

The trees planted will also form part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the UK to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee".

Seven Trent's Tiny Forests are being marked on the interactive QGC Map, joining the growing network of Jubilee trees across the nation.  

Information on volunteering for upcoming community planting days across the region can be found here.