Introducing Green for Grassroots, a new campaign by the Sport and Recreation Alliance to bring together the sport and recreation sector to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year.
With the help of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative, we will be working with our members and their participants to plant as many trees as possible during the official tree planting season between October 2022 and March 2023.
The QGC will create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of the Queen's service and the legacy she has built.
Greener environments are associated with better mental health and wellbeing outcomes including reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and enhanced quality of life for both children and adults.
Planting a tree will also create and protect the spaces and places where people can be active, supporting more people to stay healthy while helping the environment.
Get involved
Whether you’re an individual hoping to plant a single sapling in your garden or a football club with plans to plant a large tree near your pitches, everyone from the UK can get involved.
Individuals: If you wish to plant a tree in your garden, you are advised to order a tree/trees from your local certified Plant Healthy nursery. Visit the QGC’s PLAN page for advice on where to plant and how to secure a healthy tree which is fit for your location.
Communities, groups and clubs: You can apply for FREE saplings of various sizes through the Woodland Trust website. Alternatively, you can purchase your own packs or you can follow the steps outlined above for an individual.
Sport and recreation businesses: Corporates and businesses are being encouraged to either plant trees on their sites to benefit employees and the wider community or support forest planting projects in their area that have been earmarked by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Find out more here.
The QGC is also offering you the chance to mark the occasion with a physical or virtual commemorative plaque. Visit their commemorative plaque page for further details.
Share your plans!
Every Alliance member that plants a tree will feature on our website, which will demonstrate the sport and recreation sector’s thanks to the Queen for her 70 years of service, as well as a commitment to sustainability, which forms a key part of the Alliance’s strategy.
To feature on our website, simply let us know of your involvement in advance by tagging us on Twitter (@sportrectweets), Instagram (@sportandrecalliance) or LinkedIn (Sport and Recreation Alliance) using the hashtag #GreenForGrassroots - or alternatively, email us at press@sportandrecreation.org.uk.
From October, you can also photograph your Jubilee tree and upload it on to the official QGC map.
We want as many people involved in sport and recreation as possible to join the campaign so we have created a FREE digital toolkit to help you spread the word to your clubs, volunteers and participants. It includes social cards, suggested messaging and banners to help you with your comms for #GreenforGrassroots.
More to follow.
