Planting 4,500 new trees - and green ideas this Christmas from Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire

Amy Gerhard, of the Wildlife Trust in Cambridgeshire, explains the work it has been up to.

Tree planting in Cambridgeshire…

At the start of December, 4,500 young trees were delivered as part of the winter work programme for our West Cambs reserves.

The bulk of the trees have been planted in Waresley and Gransden Woods as part of a woodland management programme. With significant areas of Waresley Wood consisting almost entirely of ash trees, impacted by ash dieback, extensive felling and replanting has been required.

Thousands of new trees have been planted in the past couple of weeks by Wildlife Trust Staff and volunteers, including corporate teams on Wild Work Days.

These new trees, alongside the areas we have left to regenerate naturally, will help to create a more diverse and resilient woodland for the future. We have stopped using plastic tree guards and are trialling three different biodegradable options made from materials including potato starch, compressed wood pulp and cotton with a pine rosin coating.

We will monitor the results to help to inform future management. The remaining trees will be planted in January at Hayley Wood and Gamlingay Wood where they will improve the density of our coppice plots. If you’d like to get involved and do some coppicing yourself there are several woodland work parties around Cambridgeshire that you can join. Take a look: www.wildlifebcn.org/volunteering-opportunities/conservation-work-parties-cambridgeshire.

We are dreaming of a green Christmas…

We have some great tips and tricks to share if you’d like to be more sustainable this festive season. Changing just a few things can make a difference and save money as well!

You could try making your own Christmas crackers or decorations using materials that would otherwise be thrown away. Rather than buying a new Christmas jumper this year you could decorate an existing jumper or see if you can source anything second-hand?

A good challenge to is to try and reduce your plastic use. Try not to use cling film for the Christmas food. Beeswax wraps are a great option for food that needs an outer wrapping and do make use of the humble Tupperware! Also try to think about reducing food waste and plan to use inevitable leftovers.

If you don’t have the time or resources for crafting, try purchasing from sustainable companies and see if you can buy recycled or recyclable products.

Our online shop is great for sustainable T-shirt ideas. Every penny you spend there also goes toward supporting our work, so it has a double impact. Thank you!

Visit at: https://shop.wildlifebcn.org/.

Wildlife Training Workshops launched

Do you want to get closer to local wildlife and develop your skills?

Our Wildlife Training Workshops are held at some of the best wildlife sites in Cambridgeshire with enthusiastic, knowledgeable trainers.

The 2025 programme has just been launched and there’s a vast range of topics to get involved in! Whether you’re interested in how to identifying raptors, winter trees or warblers, you want to try spoon carving or macro photography or would like to brush up your knowledge on amphibians, wildflowers, birdsong or bumblebees through both online and in person sessions, there is something for everyone. You don’t need to be an expert, all you need is an interest in your local wildlife and a passion to learn.

This year we also have workshops designed specifically for teens, offering the chance to attend an Introduction to Ecology with chief executive of the Wildlife Trust BCN, Brian Eversham, in the heart of the Great Fen or to join an introduction to invertebrates where you will even get the chance to try out a range of surveying techniques for yourselves.

To find out more about the workshops running in 2025 and to book your space, head over to our website, where you can find all of the information: www.wildlifebcn.org/get-involved/training-workshops.

Have you heard our new podcast?

Madingley Park and Ride might not be the first place you’d look to find wildlife. But look closer and you might be surprised.

For the second episode of our new podcast In Conservation, Iain Webb, community and conservation officer, took host Sophie Baker on a car park wildlife safari, and the results were fascinating.

Released monthly from November 2024, podcast host Sophie Baker chats to colleagues about the work they do for the Trust and how it benefits wildlife and people.

With two episodes already out, why not give them a listen and see what you think?

Episode 1 saw Sophie join Mischa Cross, senior reserves officer at Pitsford, whilst she opened the daily moth trap. Search for In Conservation on your favourite podcast app.

Celebrating 25 Years of Muchwood Green Burial Ground

This year marks a special milestone for Muchwood, a beautiful green burial ground near the rural town of Ramsey.

This former farmland has been allowed to return to nature and has been developing into a tranquil resting place for those seeking a more natural and eco-friendly burial option. Biodegradable materials such as softwood, wicker, wool, or recycled cardboard are used for coffins, and many green burial grounds, like Muchwood, plant a tree on each grave to allow a natural woodland habitat to develop.

This approach not only reduces the environmental impact but also creates a serene space where wildlife thrives and visitors can remember loved ones while feeling connected to the natural cycle of life.

Whether you’re considering a green burial for yourself or a loved one, Muchwood’s "Plan Ahead" option offers peace of mind, ensuring that your final resting place is secured and that your legacy will contribute to a healthier planet.

To learn more or to arrange a visit, you can read more on our website: www.wildlifebcn.org/about-us/green-burials.