Jubilee tree marks strengthening of University of Warwick and Warwick District Council’s joint sustainability ambitions
University and Council leaders planted a new tree on University of Warwick campus this week, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
Joint efforts between the University of Warwick and Warwick District Council to tackle the climate crisis took firm root this week as leaders from both organisations planted a new tree on the University’s campus to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The new maple tree will grow to its full size next to the University’s Sports and Wellness Hub, where it will welcome the many students and visitors who use the facilities every day. It was planted as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy in a ceremony attended by Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, and Councillor Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Already, the University of Warwick has contributed over 1,400 Jubilee trees to the initiative across its campus and registered them on The Queen’s Green Canopy website.
But this latest tree is the first to be planted jointly with Warwick District Council, as part of its ambition to plant a tree for every resident living in the district, a target of 160,000 trees over the coming years.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “The University has already planted and recorded over 1,400 trees for The Queen’s Green Canopy and I’m delighted to mark that achievement with a special planting by Councillor Andrew Day, who has been so encouraging and supportive of our work in this area. The University is leading the way in sustainability, but we know that collaboration and regional engagement are essential to achieve our objectives. By working with Warwick District Council to achieve our mutual environmental goals, our impact can be so much greater.
“In 2019 the University of Warwick declared a Climate Emergency and set Net Zero carbon goals for 2030 and 2050 as an integral part of our broader responsibility to protect our environment and build towards a sustainable future. We are realising our Way to Sustainable every day at Warwick, whether through leadership and insight from our research, spreading knowledge through our teaching and academic programmes, or developing innovative solutions for our campus, to contribute not just to global efforts to tackle climate change, but inspire those within our regional and campus communities to live more sustainably.”
Councillor Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council, said: “Our Council is immensely proud to be part in The Queen’s Green Canopy project. As we begin the nationwide Platinum Jubilee celebrations, coming together to plant this tree today is symbolic of our shared ambition. The University of Warwick is a key partner in our ‘Trees for our Future’ campaign to tackle climate change and improve air quality. The trees being planted now are part of a wider programme to renew our woodlands and public open spaces with 160,000 trees, which together, form a wonderful gift to the future.”
The newly planted maple is young but established, and will grow around 2ft each year to reach maturity in 50 – 200 years. It will be planted on the bank near the Sports Hub, as it is a species useful for bank stabilisation and will grow into a larger specimen than the other trees already planted in the area. This will not only support the longevity of the bank, a key feature of the location, but also provide shade and respite for those resting on hot summer days near the Sports Hub.
