CARBON AWARE PRODUCTIONS
CARBON AWARE PRODUCTIONS
NEWSLETTER 2024
Thanks to our funders, CAP has been able to plant an incredible 36,410 trees and deployed 53 trays of kelp plants into the sea. These plants not only absorb excess carbon dioxide but breathe life into the natural world. Every penny has been appreciated, thank you so much. Our most recent updates from the field are below.
PLANTING KELP FORESTS
PLACE
Cascais Portugal
PLANTED
33 Trays of Sea Kelp
WHEN
Sept 2024
PARTNERS
SeaForester & Mossy Earth
CAP's kelp plants were grown on small stones in optimum conditions in a lab and, once established, were dropped into a protected reef off the coast of Cascais in Portugal.
Kelp forests are prized for their carbon sequestering abilities because they grow quickly and can absorb CO2 plus other marine pollutants at speed. Globally kelp forests cover 5x the area of coral reefs, but they are also declining 4x faster. With energy thrown at protecting kelp forest locations and work around re-planting techniques, the tide can turn and kelp forests do come back.
TREE PLANTING AROUND THE SOMERSET LEVELS
PLACE
Somerset
WHEN
Spring 2024
HOW MANY
1867 Trees
PARTNERS
Reimagining the Levels
Flooding in the Somerset Levels is not a new problem, but it is getting worse. This year we joined with Reimagining the Levels to plant trees to help break up flood water, channelling it underground. Projects included planting 367 hedge trees to protect Lorna's bungalow from flooding, 600 trees went to Michael & Sue to re-forest an forgotten piece of land by their home and Herne School in Somerset will be protecting their sports fields with hedging.
HEDGE PLANTING AT THE GERANIUM TRUST
PLACE
Yeovil Somerset
WHEN
March 2024
HOW MANY
1350 Hedge Trees
PARTNERS
Reimagining the Levels
The Geranium Trust HQ is a 23 acre wildlife haven for people needing peace or friendship and access to nature. Founder, Terrance "Paul" Palfrey, is thrilled with the planting of 1350 hedge trees which was largely funded by Stink Films. He said that after a dry summer the young trees are now doing well and that "So many people get so much pleasure volunteering and visiting the wildlife haven... Thank you again for making this possible."
EXMOOR'S TEMPERATE RAINFOREST
HOW MANY
1600 Trees
WHEN
March 2024
In March 2024, 1600 CAP trees were planted in Exmoor's National Park to boost one of the UK’s last refuges of precious temperate rainforest. The trees grew well over the summer with several of the rowan trees poking above the 1.5m tree guards. Some of the Scots Pine have not survived and, although this is not unusual for a new woodland, they will be replaced this winter.
PLANTING FOOD FORESTS IN BATH
HOW MANY
1118 Trees
PARTNERS
Tree Source
WHEN
Nov 2022
FUNDERS
Stink Films
In November 2022, Stink Films funded the planting of 1118 beech, oak, hornbeam, alder trees plus smaller fruit & nut trees on former farmland outside Bath. The trees have bloomed with few losses.
A food forest is an ancient form of land use, ideal for the present day. In time the trees will provide food and medicine, as well as drawing down carbon dioxide. Having this diversity of species planted together also gives them the best chance of withstanding the challenges of climate change.
THE FOREST OF MARSTON VALE
HOW MANY
6500 Trees
WHEN
2022 & 2023
WHERE
Bedfordshire
Between 2022 and 2023 6,500 CAP trees were planted at the Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire. Once a forgotten area of brickwork factories and industry, this 61 square mile area has slowly been transformed into a community wildlife haven with over 2 million trees planted.
The woodlands are growing well and the Forest Charity continues to work hard to draw people and wildlife in to enjoy it. This year they have made a Sensory Wildlife Garden for those with physical or mental health conditions to explore; they have run a Great Big Green Week with a Swap Store encouraging people to make ‘green swaps in their everyday lives’; they have lovingly created timber bat roost boxes to support the local population and they continue to plant hectare upon hectare of woodland trees.
RIVERSIDE PLANTING IN KYLE OF SUTHERLAND SCOTLAND
HOW MANY
13,030 Trees
WHEN
2021 - 2023
PARTNERS
Mossy Earth
Between 2022 & 2023 CAP was able to fund the planting of 13,030 riverside trees in Scotland’s beautiful Kyle of Sutherland. These trees are growing well with some now taller than the planting team. Once fully established the tree cover will provide the shade and nutrients needed to keep the waters healthy for the Atlantic salmon, otters and white-tailed eagles that live there.
ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE
In 2021, 3125 CAP trees were planted in the beautiful Alladale Wilderness Reserve. It was part of an ambitious project to plant almost a million trees in the area. It paved the way for the re-establishment of a healthy red squirrel population and also for the steady re-introduction of the Scotland’s secretive wild cat.
Photos © Alladale Wilderness Reserve
