Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE)
Local charity, Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE), has started work on planting hedging and trees at a two-acre community space to help improve habitats around the town.
RACE is based on the western edge of the New Forest where it looks to inspire the community to plant trees, reduce waste and learn new skills to combat climate change. Since it was set up in 2020 the registered charity has boosted biodiversity in and around Ringwood by encouraging the planting of more than 50,000 trees.
With the help of local volunteers, RACE is creating a habitat rich environment at Crow Hill on the outskirts of the town. The Jack Wright field, which was gifted to the charity, is about the size of a large rugby pitch. Thanks to a Farming in Protected Landscapes £10,000 grant the area is being transformed with fencing and hedges. The aim is to create a destination for local residents to find out more about the benefits of improving habitats.
Mary DeBoos, Chair of the Trustees of RACE, said: ‘Our project at the Jack Wright Field is a fantastic way to encourage wildlife to thrive in our area while also inspiring the local community to do the right thing by our planet. Tree planting and creating new habitats are wonderful ways to get more people from the Ringwood area coming together to enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer. All of us living in and around the New Forest can take simple steps that together will help our fragile landscapes.‘
