Come and plant new trees at Teddy Bear Woods!

The number of trees planted in a new community woodland in Weymouth has reached 1000, thanks to the help of hundreds of local volunteers.  

Now Dorset Wildlife Trust and Dorset Countryside are inviting people to help plant the remaining new trees this month.  Native trees, including oak, ash, hawthorn and hazel, have been planted around the edge of Horselynch Plantation (known locally as Teddy Bear Woods), to enlarge the woodland for wildlife and people.  

The new area of woodland is part of the mitigation package for the Weymouth Relief Road and will continue to be open access for the public, while creating valuable habitat for wildlife including great-spotted woodpeckers, noctule bats and butterflies.

Local school and college students from Bincombe Valley, St Andrews, Westfield, St Laurence & St Nicholas and Kingston Maurward planted around 300 trees and the remaining 700 were planted by local residents, during two very successful Community Tree Planting Events over the last two months.

"We've had two really fantastic events," said Samantha Dallimore, Community Conservation Officer for Dorset Wildlife Trust. "I've been amazed by how many local people have turned out and the support from the local residents using the area. We've had individuals, couples and families, including toddlers and grandparents, all helping to plant this woodland of the future – it's brilliant."      

Lawrence Weston, Area Ranger for Dorset Countryside, said: "We're hoping to plant the remaining 600 trees during another Community Tree Planting Event on Thursday 16th February, so please come along, anytime between 10am and 3pm. Planting trees really does create a sense of achievement, especially as you watch the woodland grow in the future." 

The Community Tree Planting Events have been made possible by Wild About Weymouth & Portland, a partnership between Dorset Wildlife Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Dorset Countryside and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.  The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund through Natural England's Access to Nature programme, to encourage people to discover, enjoy and help conserve the borough's wonderful natural environment. 

The next Community Tree Planting Event will be on Thursday 16th February, 10am till 3pm, on the eastern edge of Horselynch Plantation/Teddy Bear Woods (SY684820). No experience is needed, as advice will be given and all equipment, including tools, gloves and trees will be provided.  The nearest parking is on Louviers Road, near Top Club, Littlemoor, Weymouth, or the site can be accessed on foot from Southdown Avenue. For more information please contact either Samantha Dallimore on sdallimore@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk , Tel: 01305 816546 or Lawrence Weston on 01305 251228.