Tree Planting to Support the River Dee Ecosystem
The LIFE Dee River project has joined forces with a local business to plant trees that will help revitalise the River Dee's ecosystem and combat climate change.
On 20 February, approximately 200 trees were planted at the confluence of the River Ceiriog and Dee as part of the LIFE Dee River project. This initiative is a collaboration between LIFE Dee River, a project led by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and Adventure Tours UK, with the aim of enhancing local biodiversity and supporting the health of the River Dee.
This latest planting complements the 20,000 trees already established across the catchment under the LIFE Dee River project. The site, located on a farm where the project has implemented numerous intervention measures such as fencing and solar-powered cattle water troughs, has been carefully selected in agreement with the landowner following four years of successful collaboration.
The newly planted trees will provide significant benefits to the river ecosystem. By stabilising riverbanks previously subjected to intensive grazing, they will reduce erosion and the impact of pollutants entering the water. Additionally, the trees will create shaded areas to combat rising water temperatures, crucial for the survival of cold-water species like salmon.
Over time, falling leaves and branches from the newly planted trees will contribute to the river’s structure and food sources, benefitting fish and invertebrate populations. Beyond their ecological role, the trees will also sequester carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.
Joel Rees-Jones, LIFE Dee River Project Manager for NRW, said:
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Adventure Tours UK on this tree planting initiative. Trees play a vital role in improving the health of the River Dee, from stabilising riverbanks and providing shade to reducing pollutants and supporting wildlife.
“Partnerships like this are essential to achieving our shared goals of restoring and protecting the catchment for future generations.”
Claire Copeman, Adventure Tours UK, added:
"We're excited to partner with the team at Natural Resources Wales in support of the LIFE Dee River project. As a B Corp certified business, this is a positive next step in our mission to improve local biodiversity while mitigating the carbon impact of our tour operations, as we continue working towards delivering our Climate Emergency Plan. We've already created a new native woodland at Ty'n-y-Pistyll in Moel Famau Country Park through our close partnership with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape, and we're proud to now extend our support to another vital conservation project in our home region of North East Wales. Always keen to be hands on, our staff, clients and guests were keen to roll up their sleeves and make sure every single tree was planted with care."