Holiday Inn Washington have teamed up with Tree Appeal to create a new wildlife haven in their grounds, inviting local school children and Tree Appeal patron Professor David Bellamy to help plant the first trees.
The Washington hotel, a member of the international Holiday Inn group, has entered into a partnership with Tree Appeal in order to plant new saplings on their land; the first step in creating new habitat for local wildlife and supporting biodiversity in the area. The project also includes plans for a pond, bird and bee boxes and a wildflower meadow on the nine acre site. Native broad leaf trees, such as oak, ash and beech, will go into the ground this season, along with hedging which will form ecological corridors, helping wildlife to move around the site.
‘Outdoor learning’
The haven will act as an outdoor learning resource for local schools, allowing pupils to monitor the growth of the new trees, study the flora and fauna of the habitat and learn about biodiversity in action. Children from Newbottle Primary School helped to plant the first trees, engaging in interactive outdoor education and learning about the environment first hand.
‘Green Rooms’
The new wildlife haven marks the launch of Holiday Inn Washington’s ‘Green Rooms’ initiative, in association with Tree Appeal. Guests at the hotel will have the option of upgrading to a ‘green room’, with a tree included in the price of the package. Guests can opt either to have their tree planted in the hotel grounds to support the new wildlife area, or choose another Tree Appeal planting location in the UK. ‘Green conferences’ will also be available for conference delegates and Holiday Inn Washington will also dedicate a tree to each wedding couple that celebrate their special day at the hotel.
Pictures from the Planting at Holiday Inn, Washington
General Manager of Holiday Inn Washington, Tim Hooton, said, ‘We aim to create a biodiversity area within our grounds, working with local schools providing opportunities for them to assist in the planting of trees and hedgerows, and study their development over years to come. Our hope is that by developing this environment over a period of time will allow many children to be part of creating a fantastic habitat'.
Professor Bellamy said, ‘It has never been so easy to support local wildlife because now you can plant a tree in your sleep! Trees provide food and shelter for many different species of birds, mammals and insects, and by converting a grassed area into woodland, Holiday Inn Washington is making lots of new homes for local wildlife. And everyone who stays here can be a part of that by opting for a ‘green room’!’