Celebrating present achievements and future legacies at our first Tiny Forest
1st May 2024
Much of Earthwatch Europe’s work wouldn’t have the impact it does without public support, including people who choose to leave a gift to Earthwatch in their will. Our Director of Philanthropy, Neil Bailey, shares his impressions from a special event celebrating our Earthwatch Legacy Makers.
A Tiny Forest birthday party
On the 21st of March, we were delighted to gather at our first (and therefore oldest) Tiny Forest in Witney. We were there to celebrate the fourth birthday of this rapidly growing urban woodland. Another highlight was the unveiling of a plinth to acknowledge ten Earthwatch Legacy Makers who have decided to leave a gift for Earthwatch in their will.
Earthwatch Europe Chair, Lucian J. Hudson noted, “Our first Tiny Forest is really flourishing after four years and is growing very rapidly, as calculated by the Miyawaki method. Tiny Forests have been a huge success. It is a significant achievement that we are planting nearly 250 Tiny Forests – consisting of more than 150,000 trees – and connecting people with nature in towns and cities right across the UK”.
Honouring our Earthwatch Legacy Makers
Our first Tiny Forest seemed like the perfect location to place a plinth which celebrates those who have made the decision to leave a profound legacy behind. By doing this, Earthwatch Legacy Makers support our vision of giving every future generation the chance to live in a world where nature thrives.
We are deeply touched and honoured that these people have chosen Earthwatch to deliver on this legacy, and I am hoping that others will join the 10 names that are on this plinth.
Neil Bailey, Director of Philanthropy
The plinth is a beautiful piece of oak that was obtained from Oxford Wood Recycling and features ten bronze oak leaves forged by Castle Fine Arts Foundry.
Each leaf shows the name one of our Earthwatch Legacy Makers.
If you would like to know more about becoming an Earthwatch Legacy Maker or supporting the Tiny Forest programme as a Seed Investor, please contact our Philanthropy Team.
How Tiny Forests make a big difference
Our Tiny Forest movement brings the benefits of woodland right into the heart of our cities and urban spaces: connecting people with nature, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as providing nature-rich habitat to support urban wildlife. See how our Tiny Forests are performing by reading our latest Tiny Forest Monitoring Report.
Can you help save nature for future generations?
In a world besieged by environmental crises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But at Earthwatch Europe, we know that within each of us lies the power to make a difference. With your help, we can leave a thriving, protected planet for every generation to come. The next 30 years will be a critical time for our planet – as communities help reverse the decline of nature in their cities, countryside and rivers, it will be because of you.
How to include us in your will
We have partnered with expert will-writing service Octopus Legacy (formerly known as Guardian Angel) to offer you an opportunity to make your will for free (worth £90). You can use this service online, on the phone or in person.
- It takes just 15 minutes to write your will and have it checked by a solicitor
- Many people who use the service include a gift in their will to Earthwatch Europe
- There is no obligation to include a gift in your will – you can still create a will for free
If you live in England or Wales, use this link to access our free will writing service through the Octopus Legacy website.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or would prefer to talk directly with a solicitor, please call 0800 773 4014 to use the telephone service or to arrange a face-to-face appointment. Quote ‘EarthwatchFree’ over the phone.
If you would like to join our exclusive community of Earthwatch Legacy Makers and have your name engraved into our bespoke plaque, please fill out the online form on this page.