Nick Acheson's warning over climate at 110,000 trees event

Mr Acheson was speaking at a Holt County Park event to mark the conclusion of a project to plant 110,000 trees - one for each resident of the North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) area. 

He said: “We are facing a climate emergency, a catastrophe, and we need to find new and creative ways of dealing with that.

“One of the most powerful things we can do is sequester carbon, and trees are utterly brilliant at doing that.”

Mr Acheson, who lives in North Norfolk, is a regular nature presenter for the BBC and ITV, and has written books including The Meaning of Geese, which was published in February.  

Mr Acheson praised the project and the community involvement it had brought. 

He said: “Conservation projects have to come from the grassroots. 

“We, as communities, have a duty and obligation to improve what’s harmed and also to hand on an environment and a landscape that’s healthy to future generations of Norfolk people.”

NNDC’s trees project has taken four years to complete and has seen 37 native species of tree and shrub planted. 

NNDC leader Tim Adams planted a tree at Holt Country Park to mark the end of the 110,000 trees project (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

Almost half of the final total of trees - 56,268 out of 115,820 - were hedgerow trees - enough to span almost 8 miles (11kms). 

People have planted more 1,500 trees in their own gardens following popular giveaway events run as part of the project. 

NNDC leader Tim Adams planted a symbolic 110,000th tree to represent the work of the volunteers and groups who joined in.

Nick Acheson (Image: Nich Acheson)

Councillor Nigel Lloyd, NNDC’s environment portfolio, said: “It’s been a fantastic project and so inspiring to see how many in North Norfolk have embraced the importance of it too.

"The importance of tree planting for the environment is real, measurable and will have lasting positive effects here for years to come.”