News

• 600 trees to be planted at an open space in Christ Church, Lichfield on 11 April

• Site becomes sixth Tiny Forest to be planted in Lichfield, with 3,000 trees already planted in the city

• The site will play an important role in leaving an environmental legacy following Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

A sixth Tiny Forest is set to be planted in Lichfield in celebration of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Five Tiny Forests were planted in January across Lichfield and Burntwood at St Michaels Road, Mesnes Green, Burntwood Park, Redwood Park and Eastern Avenue/Curborough Road.

And now a sixth site will planted on Monday 11 April in an open space in Christ Church, located just off the A51.

Local volunteers are being encouraged to sign up to the planting day and join in the fun, with 600 trees in total being planted with the support of environmental charity Earthwatch Europe. The site will become a nature-rich accessible green space for people to reconnect with nature. 

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.  

Severn Trent’s Forest Delivery Manager, Ricky Dallow, said: “We’ve really enjoyed planting our Tiny Forests across the region. This site at Christ Church in Lichfield will be our 69th site and we are over the moon to have accomplished what we have so far.

“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 these Tiny Forests are going to be a real asset to the Midlands.  

“We would love to see as many people from the local community join us for what will be a really enjoyable day.”

Jessica Fidler, Head of Sustainability, Birmingham 2022 said: “These Tiny Forests will make a big impact to people Lichfield and across the wider West Midlands and we all look forward to experiencing these nature-rich green spaces 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.”

Councillor Ashley Yeates, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Recycling, said: “I’m delighted that a sixth Tiny Forest is being created in the Lichfield district.

“It will provide the local community with an opportunity to come together in a valuable environmental project and, together with the district’s other Tiny Forests, it represents a wonderful legacy from this year’s Commonwealth Games.

“I hope it will inspire others to follow in our footsteps.”

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.     

Louise Hartley, Senior Programme Manager at Earthwatch Europe, said: “Tiny Forests provide rich opportunities for connecting people with the environment and sustainability on their doorstep. It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action. We are delighted to be working with Severn Trent to bring these opportunities to Lichfield, and communities across the region.”

To sign up to volunteer for the upcoming planting day in Lichfield, use this link.