TCV and OVO recently celebrated a huge anniversary milestone: 10 years of partnership, during which time we have created the UK’s largest community tree planting programme, I Dig Trees.
We came together to celebrate this wonderfully proud moment at an event at TCV Stave Hill Ecological Park in London, where we planted commemorative trees and had the chance to reflect on the significant achievements we have made together for climate, wildlife and communities.
Our Chair Jon Towler and CEO Rebecca Kennelly MBE came to celebrate with the teams at TCV and OVO who have made this partnership and the I Dig Trees programme so successful. We were also treated to some brilliant ecological insights from the TCV Stave Hill team who showcased our urban-oasis site during the event.
A decade of community tree planting
TCV’s I Dig Trees was born out of an incredible partnership with OVO, who have supported our programme since 2015. This powerful initiative has united communities across the UK, enabling them to plant millions of native trees and establish vibrant, wildlife-rich pocket forests that boost local biodiversity. By providing free trees and training, I Dig Trees empowers local groups to engage in impactful tree planting projects that help combat climate change, nurture wildlife, and foster stronger, more resilient communities.
During our fantastic 10 years together, TCV and OVO have had the following impacts:
- 4,308,200 native broadleaf trees planted across the UK
- 8,945 dedicated community groups joining in
- 143,120 volunteers creating wildlife-friendly pocket forests
A milestone moment to reflect and celebrate
Our anniversary event to celebrate these remarkable milestones was attended by the individuals who have pioneered the partnership since 2015 and have seen it flourish ever since, as well as those who continue to support I Dig Trees today, as we make plans to achieve even greater outcomes for both people and nature in the years ahead.
Held at TCV Stave Hill, a nature reserve and educational research facility, the day was full of showcasing the importance of our partnership and I Dig Trees programme, which is summed up in this moving video:
TCV Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Kennelly MBE, expressed her gratitude and excitement for the future:
Our partnership with OVO is something unique and special and I am proud to be celebrating it with them. In a world facing climate and ecological emergencies, OVO has stepped forward boldly, leading by example, by supporting a long-term conservation project in the form of I Dig Trees, and empowering the efforts of amazing volunteers in local communities.
TCV are privileged to be part of this amazing legacy, and as we celebrate 10 years of incredible impact, we look forward to the next decade of working together for climate, wildlife, and our communities.
OVO Head of Sustainability, Owen Anderson, added:
What a wonderful decade it’s been for OVO and TCV. This partnership is about so much more than planting trees. It’s about connecting people and communities with nature, in a way that not only fights climate change, but enhances our understanding of how to create, restore, and protect green spaces now and in the future. We are so grateful for all the hard work from the people at OVO and TCV who have made this partnership a reality, and look forward to a greener future for all of us.
TCV Director of Fundraising, Partnerships, and Communications, Douglas Palarm, said:
Every single tree represents a group that has stepped forward to make a difference. I Dig Trees is a movement that mobilises people, uniting volunteers to take meaningful action for the environment.
Together, we’re creating a network of urban pocket forests for a greener, more sustainable future. We’re creating opportunities to bring local communities together to connect with nature and empowering individuals to provide homes for wildlife, increase biodiversity of the area and contribute to the protection of our climate.
Find out more about I Dig Trees and how you can get involved with the UK’s largest community-led tree planting programme: www.tcv.org.uk/IDigTrees
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