Paid volunteers employed by Timberland clothing company, recently teamed up with a group of school pupils to plant 5,000 trees, completing the regeneration of the Forest of Marston Vale, which lies south west of Bedford, in England.

The landscape had been scarred by many decades from extracting clay, brick making and landfill. But now, this green gateway, which stretches for more than 100 acres, will be a woodland corridor and give locals a breathing space’ from residential areas which are expanding. Marston Vale is one of 12 Community Forests in England and it is helping to regenerate the surrounding countryside.

Last year, Timberland set up its plant one on us’ campaign. For every pair of boots sold in the UK, they have planted a tree in Marston Vale. This has all been part of the company-wide scheme called Path of Service’, which provides every Timberland employee up to 40 hours paid leave each year for work within the community. To date, a total of 33,000 trees have been planted.

Contact: Marston Vale Millennium Country Park.

Tel: +44 (0)1234 767037

Website: www.marstonvale.org

Volunteers plant trees at Marston Vale

Photo: © Timberland