University grounds to benefit from green donation

April 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Coventry University’s Westwood Heath sports ground will be sprouting new greenery in future thanks to the generous donation of a midlands-based charity.

The Forest of Dennis charity has donated 1,300 trees from its Heart of England Forest Project to be planted at Westwood Heath to support the biodiversity of the site enhancing the local environment and leaving a lasting legacy for the future.

The Forest of Dennis Charity has been planting trees since 2001 and it is dedicated to planting a substantial native broadleaf forest in the heart of England.

The charity was set-up by local entrepreneur, Felix Dennis, and has to date planted over 1,800 acres of woodland and continues to plant at the rate of approximately 300 acres a year.

Chris Smith, Development Manager at Coventry University, said:

“As a University, we are extremely grateful to receive this support and extremely thankful to Stephen Coffey, the Forester from the Heart of England Forest Project, for all his support on this tree-planting project.”

Westwood Heath is a much used sporting facility both for Coventry University and local community groups but also has a significant  role to play in conservation as it was listed in 1997 as being important locally as part of the City Council’s Biodiversity action plan.

It is also the location of veteran oak trees which are still in good health and thought to be some of the oldest in Coventry.

The 1,300 trees donated by the Forest of Dennis include 350 English Oak, 100 birch and 100 ash and will enhance the local environment’s natural habitat as well as providing opportunities for education and volunteering.

Chris Smith added:

“Westwood Heath is a highly valued part of the University’s estate and we are delighted that, through the charity, Felix Dennis has offered his support to this worthy project. His generosity will be enjoyed not only by those who currently use the site but also by future generations.”

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For further information, contact Ali Bushnell, External Press and Media Relations Officer on 024 7688 8245.

Photograph attached:

Stephen Coffey (Forester, Heart of England Forest Project) and Phil Osborne (Grounds Supervisor, Coventry University) start the planting process at Westwood Heath Notes to

Editors:

The Heart of England Forest Project is the trading name of the Forest of Dennis Ltd and represents the collective tree planting project of the charity and Felix Dennis. The Forest of Dennis Ltd was formed in 2001 to plant a large forest for the enjoyment of the public.

For more information contact Jerina Hardy at jerina_hardy@dennis.co.uk

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