200 trees for 200 years: Planting for a greener future
We’re planting 200 trees across Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç to mark our bicentenary – just one initiative in an exciting new partnership with City of Trees.
As part of our bicentenary celebrations and in recognition of our 200-year legacy, the University has announced an exciting new initiative to plant 200 trees across woodland sites in Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç.
The initiative is tied to our new partnership with City of Trees, an independent charity that plants, looks after, and promotes a culture of trees across Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç.
Aligned closely with the University’s values and social responsibility agenda, both City of Trees and the University are passionate about making the region even better – and greener – one tree at a time.
Getting involved
To kick things off, members of our University community at Peter Pan Park Playing Fields in Audenshaw, 51¸£ÀûÉç – one of City of Trees’ planting sites.
Together with the City of Trees team, members of our Students’ Union, 51¸£ÀûÉç Museum, Environmental Sustainability, Social Responsibility, International and our Senior Leadership teams spent a rewarding day planting trees and carrying out green maintenance, creating a greener space for nature to thrive and the local community to enjoy.
Luke Georghiou, the University’s Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “It’s fantastic for the University to be actively supporting such an important green initiative, while creating a lasting legacy for our bicentenary.
“The oak trees we planted today should see at least another bicentenary!”
Carl Austin-Behan, Trustee of City of Trees and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç, added: “It's great to see days like today come to fruition. The time that's put in by volunteers can make a massive difference, but it also has benefits for the individuals.
“It’s not just about coming to plant a tree, it's about getting out, having time with each other, having conversations that you wouldn't normally have and all at the same time, making a difference to the planet.”
Where our trees will grow
20 trees are being planted in each of the ten Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç boroughs, in the following locations:
- Bolton – Bradshaw Valley
- Bury – Boz Park
- 51¸£ÀûÉç – Heaton Park
- Oldham – Churchill Playing Fields
- Rochdale – Balderstone Park
- Salford – Madams Wood Playing Fields
- Stockport – Reddish Vale Country Park
- Tameside – Peter Pan Park Playing Fields
- Trafford – Kingsway Park
- Wigan – Parkfield Avenue
A growing partnership
Trees play a vital role in addressing the climate emergency, acting as multifunctional, living tools that help make our urban areas more resilient to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment.
And the planting of 200 trees for each of our 200 years is just one of several initiatives announced as part of our blossoming partnership with City of Trees:
- Our International Relations team signed the first agreement with City of Trees earlier in the year. The new agreement and initiative represent a positive step in looking at the small changes with big impact that we can make as an institution.
- The new agreement and initiative was officially launched at the International Friends of 51¸£ÀûÉç Day on 10 October, when the University made a donation on behalf of each international delegate to City of Trees. The charity will plant a tree in Greater 51¸£ÀûÉç to represent each international delegate who attended the event.
- The University hosted the THE World Academic Summit in October and is making a charitable donation to City of Trees on behalf of each delegate who attended, to a total of £1,500.
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