As part of a game plan to combat climate change, Swanage and Wareham RFC and Sustainable Wareham teamed up to plant 30 new trees.
While the Swans provided an area of the club’s ground in Wareham to plant the trees, the environmental group contributed the saplings of silver birch, rowan and wild cherry donated to them by the Woodland Trust.
Digging in
Dedicated their trees to lost loved ones
Families and children connected to club players and officials each chose one tree to plant out and maintain – and were handed a certificate giving them ‘ownership’ of their plot.
Many dedicated their trees to lost loved ones and one family even added the ashes of their recently deceased grandfather to the roots of their sapling.
“Our tiny bit to help the planet“
Swans chairman Martin Hill said:
“We wanted to encourage the club’s youth players and the children of older players to adopt, look after and nurture these trees so they become aware of the environment and the need to improve it. We are very happy to do our tiny bit to help the planet.
“The plants are very small at the moment but will grow with the children who planted them. And in years to come they will hopefully see a magnificent spread of trees.
“It’s brilliant for everyone at the club to be involved in helping nature. And to have many of the trees representing a memorial to someone who has been lost makes it particularly poignant.”
Swans chairman Martin Hill and founder of Sustainable Wareham Mary Morris break new ground
Sustainable Wareham boasts more than 100 members
The planting is the first major nature-related project carried out by Sustainable Wareham, which boasts more than 100 members, even though it was only launched seven months ago.
A team from the group drew up a planting plan for the Swans and advised on the recycled plastic tubes that protect the saplings.
A good turnout for the tree planting
“I was really excited to see the saplings go in“
Sustainable Wareham’s founder Mary Morris said:
“We thought there was a need to put more trees in Wareham without cost to those who would accept them. I’m glad to say the rugby club said they would love to do it.
“I was really excited to see the saplings go in. It was great to see the idea come to fruition after a lot of hard work.
“We are looking to do more of the same and are already working on a plan to introduce wildflowers at the club.”
