Exmoor: Family give £24,000 donation for tree planting

The Richards family donated the money to help more tree planting on Exmoor

A family has donated £25k to a national park to help plant more than 6,000 trees across the landscape.

The Richards, from West Buckland, have sponsored the first trees of a new woodland at Simonsbath on Exmoor.

They will be protected by a locally made treeguard for 15 years as part of the CareMoor for Exmoor project.

Graeme McVittie from Exmoor National Park Authority said: "Each guard will protect the sapling from deer and cattle for a minimum of 15 years.

"We've grown saplings from seeds harvested from Exmoor at our Exford tree nursery.

"Knowing the effects that climate change is already having, we've prioritised a selection of trees that we are confident will thrive in the National Park."

Planting of the trees has already began near Simonsbath

The Richards family made the donation to celebrate the lives of their parents, Denys and Cicely Richards, who loved Exmoor.

Mark said: "My sisters, Sarah and Julia and I are looking forward to spending time here with our children and grandchildren for years to come.

"The trees and dedication plaque are the perfect way for our parents to be remembered and it's wonderful to be a part of nature recovery on Exmoor."

The area will remain a farmed landscape and the stock will benefit from the shelter the trees offer.

'Huge environmental benefits'

Mr McVittie continued: "We are aiming to plant 6,000 smaller trees to create Kings Wood which will take place this winter.

"Trees provide so many environmental benefits: capturing carbon, improving water quality and they're a natural tool for flood management."