The world definitely needs more trees, so, good news!
DoubleTree by Hilton is proud to announce that they have officially become a Silver Sponsor of the Woodland Trust Jubilee Woods campaign. The celebration of the longstanding relationship between the two prominent tree brands will see 20,000 trees planted in the UK during 2012, as well as additional support of the Visit Woods initiative, an online woodland search solution which encourages nature lovers to explore the tranquillity of woodland sites across the country.
DoubleTree by Hilton, one of the most dynamic, fast-growing brands in the hotel industry, has worked with the Woodland Trust since its UK debut in 2008, by funding the planting of tens of thousands of trees, hosting Woodland Trust awareness events and connecting children with nature through Woodland Discovery Days.
The Jubilee Woods Project, which has Her Majesty The Queen’s support and HRH The Princess Royal as Patron, aims to plant 6 million trees across the UK and involve millions of people in a year of tree planting Jubilee celebrations. The Jubilee Woods project aims to create hundreds of Jubilee Woods and 60 special Diamond Woods, transforming the UK’s landscape in a generation and providing a lasting and meaningful tribute for many years to come. More than one million trees were officially planted across the UK in February during the first month of the Jubilee Woods call-to-action.
Rob Palleschi, Global Head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton believes that small actions can collectively make a world of difference, both in our hotels and the environment. This has led to the planting of more than 350,000 trees by our brand in a variety of reforestation projects worldwide. We are honored to enter our fifth year of partnership with the Woodland Trust by celebrating such an auspicious occasion as the Queen’s Jubilee, through the planting of 20,000 trees across the UK. Along with support of the Visit Woods programme, DoubleTree by Hilton looks forward to continued work with the Woodland Trust on a series of nature education initiatives that encourage and inspire people across the UK to connect with and appreciate the great outdoors.”
The first of the 20,000 trees to be planted between DoubleTree by Hilton and the Woodland Trust for the Jubilee Woods project included the ceremonial planting of 16 Royal Oak saplings during the first full week of spring, one sapling to represent each of the brand’s 16 UK hotels. Each Royal Oak sapling has been grown from an acorn gathered from a royal estate around the country. Once strong enough, the Royal Oak saplings will be permanently planted in Merry Hill Woods, located between Harrow and Watford on the outskirts of London. The Royal Oak saplings, along with the thousands more trees planted with support from DoubleTree by Hilton, will significantly help the Woodland Trust reach their target of planting 6 million trees in the UK in 2012.
DoubleTree by Hilton first partnered with the Woodland Trust in 2008 to raise awareness of the Visit Woods campaign. As well as funding the planting of thousands of trees, DoubleTree by Hilton has also hosted Woodland Trust awareness events, connected children with nature through Woodland Discovery Days and encouraged nature lovers to explore the tranquillity of woodland sites across the country.
VisitWoods.org.uk maps nearly 14,000 woodlands across the UK giving easy access to information on nearly all publicly accessible woods. Guests at each of the 16 UK DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, whether they are in a city or rural location, can find out more about native and ancient woodlands to create a Woodland Weekend mini-break within easy reach of any DoubleTree by Hilton destination. The hotel brand already has worked with the Woodland Trust to sponsor this spring’s Visit Woods Woodland Photography Competition, currently running through June 30, 2012.
Penny Pulfrey, partnership manager at the Woodland Trust, said: “The UK lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to tree cover. Only 13% of the UK is covered by woodland, compared to a European average of 44%. We strive to ensure woodland is high on the environmental agenda and are delighted to continue working with a brand such as DoubleTree by Hilton, which has demonstrated genuine commitment to the environment.”
For more information about the Woodland Trust, please visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk. For more information about DoubleTree by Hilton, visit www.doubletree.com, call 00800 2222 8733 or contact your travel agent.