1,000 Trees, 60 Volunteers, 1 day of planting

A local youth group, who planted more than 60,000 trees nationwide last year, has been hacking away at this year’s goal with another 1,000 trees planted last weekend.

The Yorkshire branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Children's Association (AMCA) converged on Dewsbury Country Park where they spent one and a half hours enhancing the local countryside.

All volunteers were under the age of 15, with the youngest member just three-years-old, and for many it was their first time engaging in the project.

Last weekend’s session raised the number of trees planted this year by the group to 5,000, all at Dewsbury County park, with the latest batch kindly donated by Bradford Environmental Action Trust.

Green fingers tackle tricky environment

Everything from silver birch to sessile oak, alder to hornbeam and mountain ash to leaved lime, were all placed in the ground on the fields where they will hopefully grow into impressive woodland.

Lukman Omar, Regional AMCA leader was pleased with the team’s latest efforts and spoke of similar events to be staged in the very near future.

He said: “Our youngsters are absolutely delighted that they had the opportunity to contribute towards improving the environment.

“Events such as these help to promote good community relations and our members are keen to get involved in similar schemes in the future.”

Ian Buttersfield, Forestry Manager for the Bradford District, added his praise for the group’s giving nature.

“This has been the sixth year that members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have worked with Forest of Bradford to carry out a tree planting project within the district,” he said.

“The planting scheme was organised by Kirklees Council as a White Rose Forest partnership project. Since the first project carried out by members of the Al Mahdi Mosque on Rees Way Bradford, over 8,000 trees have been planted.

“This was another great effort by the youngsters from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Their volunteers from across the country have contributed to the greening of our environment through creating new woodlands which will benefit all who live and work in the area.

“A big thank you goes to all who are involved in the project.”

The AMYA national tree campaign aims to encourage all age groups to get a feel of nature and appreciate the environment, in line with the teachings of Islam.

In April local Ahmadi Muslims will participate in their annual flagship charity event, the Mercy for Mankind Charity Challenge, in which its members will be aiming to raise thousands of pounds for local charity.

For further information on how to get involved or for more information on AMCA's activities, please visit www.muslimsforhumanity.org.uk.