Mary joins Wakefield's "Carbon Army"

Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh visited British Trust Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) on 10 December to help plant a new hedgerow at Calder Drift. The event was part of BTCV's Carbon Army Campaign against Global Warming and Climate Change.

Mary joined volunteers from across Wakefield District in the planting of the hedge as part of the implementation of Wakefield Council's Tree and Woodland Strategy. Funding for the project comes from both Yorkshire Forward and the Council.

To date BTCV volunteers have engaged 210 volunteers in tree planting events in Lupset and at Calder Drift, creating new woodlands and delivering 502 volunteer work days in the process. For more information on BTCVs work visit http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/community

Mary said "I was delighted to see the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers in action planting a native species hedge at Calder Drift near Bretton roundabout.  It was great to see their “carbon army” taking action to tackle global warming.  They have planted thousands of trees in Lupset and here at this old pit site which will now be used by the Scouts.  The project was jointly funded by Wakefield Council whose budget has been slashed and Yorkshire Forward which is being abolished so the future for this type of activity now looks very uncertain."