I recently had the pleasure of joining my colleagues for a tree-planting day in partnership with the Ribble Rivers Trust, a local environmental charity that works to improve the health of the River Ribble and its surrounding areas.
As a UX research team of one, my days are usually spent in front of the computer, gathering data and insights to improve our products. It was a welcome chance to step away from the screen and get my hands dirty, quite literally, by participating in a tree planting day in Colne, just a short drive from Manchester city centre.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, we all showed up with our wellies and raincoats, ready to work. The day started with a quick briefing from the Ribble Rivers Trust team on how to plant trees to give them the best chances of survival.
We split into teams of two and headed out to a nearby field where we were tasked with planting seedlings. It was a real team effort, with everyone mucking in and doing their part. We worked together as a team, digging holes, covering the seedlings with soil, and securing them with stakes and guards.
We planted a total of 650 trees in just a few hours! It was hard work, but it was also a lot of fun. We got to bond with people we only ever see on camera, enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery, and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Did you know?!
Deer cause a whopping £4.5m worth of damage to commercial woodlands and £4.3m worth of crop damage a year! Tree guards are protective devices that are placed around the base of young trees to help protect them from animals, such as deer or rabbits.
Tree planting has numerous benefits for the environment. We learned that trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing air pollution, and providing a habitat for wildlife. They also help to prevent soil erosion and regulate water cycles, which in turn can reduce the risk of flooding.
But it wasn't just the environment that benefited from our day of tree planting. It was also an opportunity for our team to connect outside the metaverse. We bonded over the shared experience of getting muddy and working towards a common goal. It was a refreshing change from our usual virtual meetings and allowed us to get to know each other better in a more relaxed setting.
I would encourage even the most non-greened-fingered person to try tree planting. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed at your own pace and that anyone can participate in, regardless of age or level of fitness. It's a great opportunity to get outside, get some exercise, and do something positive for the environment. Even planting a single tree can make a difference.
My tree planting experience with the Ribble Rivers Trust was an eye-opening and fulfilling one. Not only did I learn about the importance of trees for the environment, but I also got to connect with my colleagues and have a lot of fun in the process. I encourage everyone to volunteer and get involved in environmental initiatives in their local community. Let's all do our part to make the world a better place, one tree at a time!