Birmingham 2022: 10,000 trees planted to mark the first carbon neutral Commonwealth Games

Over 10,000 trees have now been planted in the West Midlands as part of the Tiny Trees Project to mark the first carbon neutral Commonwealth Games.

Trees were planted at the Spring Lane Playing Fields in Erdington over the weekend and it is one of 72 mini forests no bigger than a tennis court to be planted across the region.

Trees have now been planted across 17 community groups and school sites in Walsall, Lichfield, West Bromwich and Birmingham over the first three weeks of planting.

The project will also see an additional 2,022 acres of woodland planted in the West Midlands.

The project is part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy, and has been organised by Severn Trent Water and Earthwatch Europe.

The 72 tennis-court-sized Tiny Forests across the region represent one for each of the nations and territories competing in the Games, which begin on 28 July and run to 8 August this year.

The sites aim to help to boost 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. 

What’s been said about the project?

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.”

Jessica Fidler, Head of Sustainability, Birmingham 2022 added:“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.”

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