Earth Day is fast approaching, with the global event in recognition of our planet taking place on 22nd April. It’s a time to pause and think about the environment, both on a global and local scale.

One of the campaigns currently running alongside Earth Day is Trees for the Earth. The initiative was launched in 2016 and the aim is to see 7.8 billion trees planted worldwide by 2020, the year that Earth Day celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The number of trees being targeted represents the projected global population in 2020. So for every person on the planet, there will also be a new tree.

There are several ways to get involved in the campaign. You can either donate to the Canopy Project, where one dollar will plant one tree, or you can record your own tree planting efforts online.

Writing for the Journal Gazette and Times & Courier recently, Coles County master gardener Janet Clark said we should see trees as a legacy we can leave for others to enjoy.

“Our ancestors appreciated the value of trees and planted them for future generations,” she stated. Planting a tree in your garden now means you’ll leave something that your children and even grandchildren can enjoy for years to come.

Ms Clark also stressed the importance of taking good care of your trees, to keep them strong and healthy throughout their lives. So, if you haven’t taken a look at your trees recently, now could be the perfect time to inspect them and contact a tree surgeon in Wandsworth if you need some assistance.