Plant a tree save the planet

‘IT’S UNEQUIVOCAL’

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states it is unequivocal;  Human activity is changing the Earth’s climate in ways “unprecedented” in thousands or hundreds of thousands of years, with some of the changes now inevitable and “irreversible”.

This report underlines the need for urgent efforts by everyone to make some small changes to our lifestyles now to help reduce the possible long-term impacts of climate change. Our carbon offsetting project to plant trees, will over time help to remove carbon from the atmosphere and of broader significance enhance biodiversity. Carbon capture in this way is a ‘proven technology’ for trees have been taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere for millions of years and we understand the process!

By making small financial contributions to the tree planting project, it is a signal that motorbikers are concerned about the environment and are willing to do something to help the planet. We will be demonstrating to a wider audience that we wish to do something positive to offset our carbon output and over time will be seen as a positive public relations venture.

As reported previously, the Club’s tree planting project is in its infancy and after considerable research, is just beginning to find its way to identify suitable partners that we can work with.

It is important to stress the fact that this is not a simple flick the switch project where plans can fall neatly into line. Anyone or any organisation can plant hundreds of trees, but is there the knowledge in the background and the support to get over 90% of the young trees past their first year in the ground? What would be the point in raising the expectations of members who contribute towards the tree planting project only to find that through planting in the wrong place without sufficient care, 90% of the trees fail to establish?

Finding the right partner to work with the club in this project has seen a number of early frustrations, a prime example is where I lost several months due to the arrogance of the Oxford University Arboretum at Nuneham Courtney, that wanted nothing to do whatsoever with a biker club, refusing to answer key emails.

At last, a more favourable partner has begun to emerge. Following a recent visit to Nuffield Place (NP), a National Trust property between Nettlebed and Wallingford, I had a very encouraging conversation with their Visitor Operations and Experience Manager. NP was formerly the home of William Morris the father of the British Motorcar industry, before it came into the hands of the National Trust.

Of key importance, NP has a block of land, formerly an old orchard and currently a wild grassy area, where the head gardener is contemplating replanting the area with trees. They are not ready to do this yet, but discussions have taken place earlier at NP to bring this into their programme for future work. It should be pointed out that I have approached five other charities recently that appeared to be potential partners, but in each case, there was no ownership of land or reliable access to it. The NP land ownership is what makes NP important for the project.

Where I have confidence in making progress with NP is that they are keen to begin a partnership for planting trees next year. The partnership would mean we donate funds for the purchase of native species trees and a few club members get involved with the establishment of the trees in the autumn. This would possibly mean helping to plant the trees and more likely to ensure the trees have sufficient water at key periods in the following late Spring and early to mid-Summer. I believe it will be possible to draw together a small team of club member volunteers to help in this partnership.

We have agreed to arrange a meeting in September to include their Senior Programming and Partnership Officer along with the head gardener so we can talk through what we would like to achieve and how we can work in partnership with them to achieve these goals. I will be working to put a plan in place setting out what the partnership will look like.

While NP does not support the idea of putting a plaque to define an area that has had a particular donation, they would be willing to create a certificate showing funds have been received for planting trees and where they have been planted.

A further update will be posted to keep you informed of the progress with NP.