News
Eco Day success at Corby’s Oakley Vale
On Friday 23rd February, the community of Oakley Vale gathered in the sunshine as part of a free Eco Day event. The aim was to create a micro or ‘Tiny Forest’ on Dunnock Road, which has been prone to waterlogging in the open green space when heavy rain is experienced.
We were joined by families, friends, the Oakley Vale Community Association, local rangers, councillors and the 7th Corby Kingswood and Oakley Vale Scout Group who all really enjoyed planting trees in the (rather muddy!) space.ย Led by the grounds maintenance team of North Northants Council, and the RAIN Project, we collectively planted 760 saplings and trees in the area.
Forest School sessions were also held by our friends at Nene Rivers Trust, and hot food was available at lunchtime for everyone who took part.
During the afternoon, we headed to the Community Centre where families took part in building bug hotels, enjoyed our creative craft corner, and met with Mary Long-Dhonau – also known as Flood Mary – and Tris Baxter-Smith, to discuss property flood resilience, and natural flood management techniques.
The Eco Day was a fantastic success – the community really enjoyed working together to create the tiny forest, which will benefit all for years to come.ย It not only promotes biodiversity but resilience against surface water flooding in the local community.
“Thank you to everyone for coming and supporting the planting of the Tiny Forest.ย It was a tremendous community event and we all appreciated everyone’s help in bringing the project to life!”
Video: Sarah Parr from the RAIN Project
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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the ยฃ200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.
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