Celebrating National Tree Week at Overdale: Growing a Greener Future Together
As part of National Tree Week, the UK’s annual celebration of trees and woodlands, the Overdale Tree Planting Project is bringing together volunteers, local groups, and conservation partners to help restore nature in the Hope Valley. Led by Wild Solutions and funded by the Species Survival Fund, the project is being delivered in collaboration with Bradwell Parish Council, Hope Valley Climate Action, Buxton Field Club, and Move More High Peak. Overdale, located just outside Bradwell in the Hope Valley, covers approximately 17 hectares and will soon be home to 6,300 newly planted native trees.
The project represents a strong example of community-led conservation in action. Over the coming months, volunteers will help to plant and protect the trees across 11 plots of land, creating new areas of woodland that will increase local biodiversity, strengthen wildlife corridors, and contribute to long-term climate resilience across Derbyshire. The planting will be carried out over five dedicated volunteer sessions scheduled for 6th November, 13th November, 4th December, 10th January, and 15th January. Each session will see around 1,260 trees planted, with every sapling supported by a cane and spiral guard to protect it from grazing animals such as deer and rabbits.
Preparation for each planting day will begin with staff and volunteers marking out the plots using bamboo canes with high-visibility flags and poles. The day before each event, trees, canes, and guards will be delivered, sorted into species mixes, and transported to their allocated plots. This approach ensures that the trees remain in good condition and are planted promptly to support strong establishment.
The support and enthusiasm of local community groups demonstrate how collective action can make a tangible difference for nature. For many participants, tree planting is more than a one-day activity; it is a chance to learn conservation skills, reconnect with the local landscape, and build a shared sense of responsibility for the natural environment. As one project lead commented, “It is such an amazing way for people to get out into nature, benefiting both their own well-being and the landscape itself — it’s a win-win.”
The Overdale site was previously used for agriculture and grazing, and its transition into a mosaic of native woodland habitats will bring long-term environmental benefits. Over time, the developing woodland will enhance soil health, improve water retention, and provide habitat for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. The project aligns closely with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s goal to restore 30% of land for nature by 2030 and contributes to wider climate and biodiversity objectives across the region.
Once the planting phase is complete, ongoing maintenance will be essential to ensure high survival rates and healthy tree growth. This will include checking and replacing guards and canes as necessary, controlling vegetation around young trees, and monitoring the impact of browsing. Volunteer-led sessions by Peter and David will oversee this phase, supported by a small contingency fund. Future plans include regular volunteer maintenance days, community engagement events, and opportunities for local schools and organisations to take part in woodland care activities.
One of the volunteers taking part in the Overdale planting sessions was Matt, from Rolls-Royce’s Experimental Programme Management Office, whose team returned to support us for a second year after first getting involved in the tree-planting project at Mugginton in 2023, another of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s tree-planting initiatives. For the Rolls-Royce employees, the day doubled as a team-building opportunity and a meaningful way to give back to the community. Matt spoke passionately about the importance of spending time outdoors and contributing to nature recovery, describing tree planting as “really important,” adding, “Anything we can do as human beings to help this kind of work matters.” Reflecting on rewilding efforts, he praised the project’s ambition and its role in tackling our collective carbon footprint, noting that even a small impact “in 100 years’ time” would be worth the effort. Volunteering, he said, left him feeling “rewarded, honoured, and accomplished”, and his wider commitment to conservation extends beyond this project through his volunteer work along the River Derwent. Above all, Matt shared his hope to one day see “the fruits of our labour”, and expressed pride in supporting a project led by organisations he trusts to “help nature out the best they can.”
As we celebrate National Tree Week, the work at Overdale highlights the importance of people and partnerships in driving nature recovery. Each tree planted represents a commitment to the future — to cleaner air, richer biodiversity, and a landscape that supports both wildlife and community well-being. Through the dedication of volunteers and the collaboration of local groups, Overdale is becoming a living example of how collective action can create lasting change for generations to come.
If you’d like support from the Wild Solutions team to restore or rewild your land, get in touch — we’d love to help.
If you’d like to volunteer at one of our tree planting days, or other volunteering opportunities, please see here.