The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has planted 27 native trees within the Sanctuary’s grounds, thanks to funding from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund, and help from their volunteers and gardening club members. Branching Out provides grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 to community groups, schools, small registered charities seeking to establish trees, hedgerows and orchards throughout the winter planting season to support biodiversity and further develop green spaces. A variety of native trees including Black Alder, English Oak and Field Maple trees were planted across the whole site on 16th and 17th February. Trees were chosen that have edible leaves and branches for the Sanctuary’s omnivores, so that the Animal Team can use fallen boughs to create enrichment activities and diversify their animal’s diets, and in the farm area they were planted to provide shade for the rescued pigs in the Summer. The new trees will also improve the overall aesthetic of the Sanctuary and encourage local wildlife to visit and thrive. One of the young Gardening Club members even noted “when this tree is big and strong, I will come and see what birds are living in it”. Christine Harty, the Sanctuary’s Head of Fundraising, said:
“We are grateful to the Tree Council for providing this generous grant, which allows our Sanctuary to increase our biodiversity, support native tree growth, develop our green spaces, and engage with our local community”
The Tree Council Grants Officer, Geraldine Creaven, has said:
“Branching Out presents a fantastic opportunity for schools and community groups large and small to get their spades in the ground and start establishing life-enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees, hedgerows, and orchards in their neighbourhoods. “We’re so thrilled for all our successful applicants, especially the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary”.
