I Dig Trees – TCV & OVO Energy partnership winners at the Horticulture Week Custodian Awards.
The Horticulture Week Custodian Awards celebrate the best of parks, gardens and tree management, giving green space managers the chance to showcase their achievements and say thank you to all those involved.
TCV – The community volunteering charity and OVO Energy have been working in partnership since 2015 delivering a huge tree planting programme in the heart of UK communities. From the outset, TCV and OVO Energy aimed to include as many volunteers as possible; empowering people to make a difference to their local neighbourhoods by planting trees in places which matter to them. Those involved are leaving a lasting legacy which can be enjoyed by future generations.
Partnership objectives:
- Distribute 390,000 free trees to community groups
- Engage over 1,000 community groups
- Involve over 10,000 volunteers to make a difference
- Plant trees or hedgerows on over 1,000 different locations
The I Dig Trees partnership aims to increase the number of native trees in UK communities; improving local environments and expanding species-rich wildlife habitats. Between 2016 and 2018, the partnership more than fulfilled its target of distributing and planting 390,000 native UK trees.
“TCV are so proud to have won the Best Tree or Woodland Partnership award at yesterday’s Horticulture Custodian Awards. We had a great day at Woburn Abbey with our partners OVO Energy. Since 2015, supported by OVO Energy Green Energy customers TCV have worked with over 1,000 community groups to plant 568,000 trees in communities across the UK … Well done OVO Energy for your incredible commitment to I Dig Trees!” Douglas Palarm, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Conservation Volunteers.
During the tree planting season (when trees aren't actively growing) OVO Energy's greener tariff customers sponsor a number of trees which become available free-of-charge to community groups, schools, 'friends of' groups and NGO’s. TCV distributes the trees and organises planting events. The partnership has worked with 1,100 community groups and planted trees in 1,200 locations. More than 10,000 volunteers from all walks of life have been part of I Dig Trees.
Find out more about TCV’s work with community groups