Commemorating 175 years of Shoosmiths with tree planting in association with the Woodland Trust

Planting trees proved popular with staff when we invited suggestions last year about ways to commemorate the firm’s 175th anniversary. So we’re delighted to announce that the firm is partnering with the Woodland Trust to support its Young People’s Forest tree planting project at Mead, near Heanor in the East Midlands.

The Woodland Trust mobilises communities, landowners and volunteers to plant trees, and the charity has pledged to get 50 million trees in the ground over the next 10 years, helping to put the UK on track to meet its carbon net-zero target.

Our donation will see 2,275 trees planted (175 years x 13 Shoosmiths UK locations). The forest is part of the charity’s #iwill campaign, to promote youth social action with children and young people helping to shape the future of this forest.

The Young People’s Forest is on an extensive former open cast mining site in Derbyshire. It has an incredible history, with links to the National Coal Board, DH Lawrence, the renowned Miller-Mundy and Leche families, a Sheriff of Nottingham, through the Knight’s Fees of the Norman Conquest and even back to the Vikings!

Our tree planting commitment will also be recognised by the Woodland Carbon Code scheme, the UK’s voluntary carbon standard for woodland carbon projects. The Code is aligned with the core requirements of other voluntary forest carbon standards and of the Kyoto Protocol. It provides reassurance about the carbon savings that woodland projects may realistically achieve. With our planned 2,275 trees, it is estimated that approximately 570 tonnes of carbon will be absorbed over 100 years.

The firm is committed to a net zero future and regards offsetting to reduce its carbon footprint as a last resort. Commemorating our 175th anniversary provided us with a unique opportunity to provide an environmental planting legacy that could also play a small part in tackling climate change.

Pip Borrill, Head of Partnerships at The Woodland Trust commented: "The Woodland Trust is delighted to have Shoosmiths as a Woodland Carbon partner for 2021. Shoosmiths' funding will support the planting of 2,275 trees, mitigating 570 tonnes of carbon from their business operations and supporting their journey to a net zero future."

The Young People’s Forest is open to the public, with directions here. As pandemic restrictions ease, we look forward to sharing suggestions with our colleagues about how we might be able to be practically involved with the ongoing creation of the new woodland.