Adventure Tours UK and the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have completed the first round of tree planting to create a new woodland within Moel Famau Country Park.

As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, Denbighshire-based adventure tour operator Adventure Tours UK is committed to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint. The carbon that cannot yet be avoided will be offset through the creation of Ty’n y Pistyll, a designated 2-acre area within the Country Park. Symbolically, the first 185 native trees were planted during National Tree Week, 27th November to 5th December.

This first planting included a mix of native tree species. Predominantly Birch, a fast growing tree that will help to create a nursery environment for the slower growing species, which include Oak, Wild Cherry and Crab Apple. Hawthorn and Holly have also been planted to provide an element of protective shrubbery.

It’s now widely accepted that addressing biodiversity loss and climate change as a single issue is a more effective way to help combat the climate crisis. As well as providing the necessary carbon mitigation, this project aims to improve the biodiversity of the area too. The young trees will begin to provide food and habitat for hundreds of insects, which in turn will provide a food source for bats and birds. As the trees mature over time they will provide nesting spaces and the bark will provide habitat for a range of mosses and lichen.

David Shiel, Area Manager for the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB said: “It was fantastic to see the first batch of trees being planted at Ty’n y Pistyll as part of this partnership with Adventure Tours UK.  The work is about giving something back to the environment, where people visiting the area are making a continued contribution to the conservation of this outstanding landscape.  It brings sustainable tourism and sustainable land management together and we are looking forward to doing more work with Adventure Tours UK in the future as the trees grow.”

 Claire Copeman, co-founder of Adventure Tours UK and winner of the Wales Start-up Entrepreneur of the Year, is passionate about helping to lead the way in sustainable tourism:

 “As a responsible tour operator and signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, we recognise the role we have to play in measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of our tours and business operations. With the carbon that remains unavoidable for now, we believe we can do better than simply offset. Our partnership with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB enables us to mitigate carbon while encouraging biodiversity for the health of our planet and creating a beautiful woodland for the benefit of our local community and visitors to the region.”

With one tree planted for every guest that travels with Adventure Tours UK, there will be many more trees planted in this new native woodland over the coming years.