For this year’s International Day of Forests, Princess Anne has issued a message of celebration highlighting the role of trees and the important role The Woodland Trust play in supporting our environment.
The annual event celebrates and raises awareness of forests and trees, as well as their benefits for current and future generations. This year’s theme is ‘forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being’.
Princess Anne, who wore an oak leaf brooch, opened her message by saying: “The 21st March marks the International Day of Forests – a day designed to raise awareness of the importance of forests, woods and trees across the world.
“We know more now about the incredible range of benefits that trees deliver to us and our planet, than at any other time in mankind’s existence, and yet, through global deforestation, the world is losing millions of hectares of forest every year.
Princess Anne issued a message of celebration on International Day of Forests. (Woodland Trust)
“Trees make our life on earth possible and yet, it is perhaps the everyday nature of them that has made it so easy to take them for granted. They generate oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil, play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, provide us with raw materials and shelter and inspire our imaginations and our creativity.”
Anne recorded the message to mark the event on Sunday, which is also the day she welcomed her fifth grandchild, Lucas.
She continued: “Nor should we forget that trees and woodlands make a positive difference to our own health and wellbeing. Life has changed for all of us over the past 12 months and during the most challenging of times we have become aware of the importance of having regular access to green spaces. People have found comfort in woodland in these calming and magical places.
Today marks #IntlForestDay, a day designed to raise awareness of the importance of our forests and trees!?
HRH The Princess Royal hopes that we take a moment to appreciate our #trees and woods, no matter how big or small https://t.co/sZe1j9SmgV @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/RkIsAGso98
— Woodland Trust? (@WoodlandTrust) March 21, 2021
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“We all benefit from our trees and woods and we could do with a great deal more of them. The Woodland Trust’s hope for this year’s International Day of Forests is that more of us stop taking our local trees for granted.”
Her brother, Prince Charles, has been a long time advocate for the environment, as well as promoting sustainability among the younger generation. He was recently announced as the recipient of Farmers Weekly’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2020.
The Princess’ message continued: “The Woodland Trust has ambitious plans to plant 50 million trees over the next five years and we will be doing this involving as many people as possible. There are many ways to get involved, and if you can help in any way, do visit the Woodland Trust’s website. We are always keen to work together.”
Concluded the message, Anne added: “On this International Day of Forests, enjoy the trees, respect what they do for us now and help us plan for our future with many more trees. Thank you.”
