On our Dorset County Hospital construction projects, we recently donated and planted 600 tree whips on the rapidly emerging new community woodland at Kings Road in Dorchester.
A team of our people helped to plant the whips during a fun morning alongside members of the community, from Dorchester Town Council and volunteers from People First Dorset, Employ My Ability, The GAP Ecotherapy Project, Thomas Hardye School and Dorset Mind, local mental health charity.
The trees selected are a mix of native species, and were chosen for their benefits to the wider environment by providing food and habitat for birds and other animals. This will increase biodiversity in an area that previously consisted of short mown grass with very little wildlife value. A new circular grass woodland walk was also created for the community to enjoy.
Our team partnered with a range of local organisations and people for the tree planting initiative, which helped to educate local people about biodiversity. People First Dorset is an organisation which supports people with learning disabilities. "With some of our members having recently taken part in a project to learn more about protecting the environment and climate change at Dorset Museum, there is much enthusiasm and interest to engage in community projects which help protect our local environment," Laura Kerr, Manager at People First Dorset said. "The planting was a lot of fun and it was wonderful for our members and staff team to be working outside together in the fresh air doing something positive!”
Cllr Fiona Kent Ledger, at Dorchester Town Council added: We were delighted to receive the donation of both trees and planting help from Willmott Dixon. It is great to see a company giving back in areas where it carries out work and wisely to be considering the environment in the longer term. I would also like to thank the all the brilliant volunteers who came along to help plant too. We really hope the community take the new wood to their hearts. To see people taking the time and making the effort to help plant it is a really good sign for the future”.
“We are proud to be partnering with Dorchester Town Council to improve biodiversity in the area by planting 600 trees in the town as part of our ongoing work at Dorset County Hospital," said Richard Poulter, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon’s Central South region. "Delivering an environmental net gain is a key ambition for us and we strive to support re-wilding, space for local people to connect with nature, and biodiversity enhancements. These trees are just one of many schemes being undertaken by Willmott Dixon."
