Mickey Mouse joined 300 Disney Store employees from all over the UK to plant the first 7,500 trees of the ‘Magical Wood’, 50 acres of woodland which forms part of the Woodland Trust’s Heartwood Forest. Once planted, Heartwood Forest, near Sandridge, Herts, will become England’s largest new native woodland.
Since announcing its collaboration with the Woodland Trust in March 2009 Disney Store has donated £1 from the sale of each of its 2009 Earth Day re-usable shopper bags, as well as all profits from the sales of regular plastic carrier bags to the Woodland Trust in order to create the Magical Wood as well as support its efforts to manage more than 1,000 woods across the UK. To date, thanks to great customer support, more than £160,000 has been raised, which was enough to start planting the first 7,500 trees.
John Tucker, England Director, from the Woodland Trust, who attended the event, said: “I was very impressed with all of Disney Store’s employees who braved the elements to plant trees at the Magical Wood site. This was a momentous occasion as these trees will become woodland within 10 years, for generations of people to enjoy.”
“Everyone was in fine spirits, singing Disney songs and putting their best foot forward to plant as many trees as possible. I think it is an incredible achievement to plant 7,500 in one afternoon, so well done to all those who took part!”
After the last trees were planted all of the employees retired to a marquee where they were greeted by none other than Mickey Mouse, who made a special guest appearance to thank everyone for taking part.
For Disney Store creating the Magical Wood is integral to its annual Earth Day celebrations, which take place throughout April. Earth Day is an international day organised to raise awareness and provoke inspiration for the Earth’s environment.
This year, the Earth Day 2010 re-usable shopper bag will once again benefit the Woodland Trust plus stores will host a series of activities available for children.
For more information log onto www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/disney