"This is for my grandchildren, one of whom is a great bug-hunter"
Sue & Matthew McFarlane
A family of teachers and scout leaders from Shropshire are planting a four-acre native woodland destined to be an outdoor learning resource for youth groups and schools
Sue & Matthew McFarlane will eventually have 1500 mixed native trees in the ground in ‘McFarlane’s Wood’ at Overs Farm, Haughton, near Bridgnorth – prompted by a vision of an experience and education wood for years to come .
“Yes, this is for my grandchildren, one of whom is a great bug-hunter, but it’s more than that. I have seen for myself how quickly native trees grow and it won’t be many years before we have a thriving young forest on the doorstep, enriching young lives for years to come.”
Why plant a wood for recreation?
Anxiety and stress are features of modern living, but woodland has been shown to be therapeutic in reducing both. Exercise in woodland or other green space also has mental benefits as well as improving physical health.
In some cases woodand exercise is more effective than general exercise in reducing negative feelings and improving self-esteem.
One estimate suggests that doubling the number of trees in the West Midlands could reduce excess deaths due to particulate pollution by up to 140 per year.
Contact with nature reduces stress within minutes and improves children's concentration and self-discipline, including the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD).
How to plant a wood for recreation?
Visit the how to plant a wood section for information on funding and for online step by step advice to help you plant your wood.
Back to the plant your own woods main page.
