Pictured above: Stephen Coffey (Forester, Heart of England
Forest Project) and Phil Osborne (Grounds Supervisor, Coventry
University) start the planting process at Westwood Heath
Coventry University's Westwood Heath sports ground will be
sprouting new greenery in future thanks to the generous donation of
a midlands-based charity.
The Forest of Dennis charity has donated 1,300 trees from its
Heart of England Forest Project to be planted at Westwood Heath to
support the biodiversity of the site enhancing the local
environment and leaving a lasting legacy for the future.
The Forest of Dennis Charity has been planting trees since 2001
and it is dedicated to planting a substantial native broadleaf
forest in the heart of England.
The charity was set-up by local entrepreneur, Felix Dennis, and
has to date planted over 1,800 acres of woodland and continues to
plant at the rate of approximately 300 acres a year.
Chris Smith, Development Manager at Coventry University,
said:
"As a University, we are extremely grateful to receive this
support and extremely thankful to Stephen Coffey, the Forester from
the Heart of England Forest Project, for all his support on this
tree-planting project."
Westwood Heath is a much used sporting facility both for
Coventry University and local community groups but also has a
significant role to play in conservation as it was listed in
1997 as being important locally as part of the City Council's
Biodiversity action plan.
It is also the location of veteran oak trees which are still in
good health and thought to be some of the oldest in Coventry.
The 1,300 trees donated by the Forest of Dennis include 350
English Oak, 100 birch and 100 ash and will enhance the local
environment's natural habitat as well as providing opportunities
for education and volunteering.
Chris Smith added:
"Westwood Heath is a highly valued part of the University's
estate and we are delighted that, through the charity, Felix Dennis
has offered his support to this worthy project. His generosity will
be enjoyed not only by those who currently use the site but also by
future generations."
For more information about Coventry University, please visit
their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk