Supporting the Wrexham Forest Partnership and their Woodland Connections Week
Back in December 2022, we offered an update on our support for Wrexham County Borough Council’s new Tree and Woodland Initiative and its vital contribution to the climate emergency.
Here Iona Hughes, NRW People and Places Senior Officer for North East Wales, tells us more about how we’re helping to support the Wrexham Forest Partnership and their upcoming Woodland Connections Week.
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This year’s Woodland Connections Week (15 – 21 June) is quickly approaching us in what will be only the second-ever edition of the week-long celebration.
The theme for this year will be ‘Seeking Sanctuary’ and the week, organised by the Wrexham Forest Partnership, will showcase several ancient, veteran and notable trees around Wrexham which offer sanctuary to people and wildlife in the form of shade, food and habitat and people can put forward their own ‘sanctuary trees’.
The only previous Woodland Connections week, held In June 2023, stayed true to the theme of ‘Trees Matter’. This included a Tree Party launch event held in Acton Park – the site of the much-loved Wrexham sweet chestnut (an ancient tree at nearly 500 years old) which won the 2023 UK Tree of the Year competition and was Wales’s first-ever winning entrant.
What can we look forward to in this year’s Woodland Connections Week?
This year’s celebration includes:
15 June
11 – 1pm City Centre Tree Trail – A guided tour of the city centre trees to learn about how they will play an important part in keeping the city centre cool as we face a changing climate
8.30pm until late – Bat and Moth discovery with Campfire at Llwyneinion Woods - Enjoy an evening of campfire cooking and learn about the nocturnal creatures that live in the woodland.
17 June
10am - 12pm / 1pm - 4pm – Campfire Cooking at Alyn Waters Country Park. Join the Woodland Classroom for a day of campfire cooking to learn how trees and woodlands are a valuable food source for people and wildlife.
18 June
2 – 4pm Ancient Tree Talk at Ty Pawb - Brian Palmer from Woodland Trust will offer a talk about the importance of Ancient Trees and why they are a sanctuary to be safeguarded for future generations.
20 June
7.30 – 10am Midsummer Forest bathing - Celebrate the longest day of the year on a wander through the woods at Plas Power Woods. Meditation practices will be delivered by Woodland Classroom using the morning sun and natural spaces to find peace and grounding for improved health and wellbeing.
To book on any of these events please contact woodlandpledge@wrexham.gov.uk
What is the Wrexham Forest Partnership?
In 2021 the Wrexham Forest Partnership was set up, supported by the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund, which was awarded to Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC).
Wrexham Forest Partnership is made up of organisations that work within Wrexham such as Natural Resources Wales, Woodland Trust, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Keep Wales Tidy, Llais y Goedwig, Welsh Dee Trust, AVOW and Glyndwr University.
The partners meet regularly to share knowledge, information and best practice and support WCBC’s Tree and Woodland Strategy and Woodland Pledge.
As part of their Tree and Woodland Strategy, Wrexham Council have developed the Tree and Woodland Pledge to protect trees and woodland across the county and to encourage people to enjoy and value trees and woodlands in their local area and sign up to the Pledge.
Anyone, whether they are individuals or representing businesses, community groups or organisations, can sign up to the pledge and receive updates on how they can get involved from tree planting to connecting with trees and the outdoors for wellbeing, education or fun.
How does this help wider NRW’s goals to protect our environment and help it thrive?
The strategy, pledge and work of the partnership align with all the North East Wales Area Statement themes, especially increasing woodland cover and developing and improving green infrastructure.
It also adheres to Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) principles, such as collaboration and engagement and multiple benefits, whilst following the Ways of Working set out by the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, such as collaboration and integration.
As well as this, the partnership’s strategy contributes to the wellbeing goals, especially in creating a healthier, globally responsible, more resilient, and equal Wales for our future generations.