Two trees planted on the Chiltern Way for the Global Tree Planting

Two new trees have been planted by alumna Karen Irons (NC 1990) on the Chiltern Way, in Buckinghamshire:

“I was at Newnham from 1990-93, studying Land Economy and Management Studies. Whilst my career has not directly involved me in the land, I have taken huge pleasure in engaging with environmental issues and tree planting and maintaining habitats that support a wide diversity of flora and invertebrates is very close to my heart.   

We are lucky to live at the point where The Ridgeway and The Chiltern Way meet, in Buckinghamshire. Here, we look after ancient calcareous wild-flower grassland within a Higher Level Stewardship scheme. Our work is supported by Natural England and recently I have increased engagement with Chiltern Conservation Board, Upper Thames Butterfly Conservation (we host one of the few remaining colonies of The Duke of Burgundy butterfly), and Chiltern Rangers (a fantastic not-for-profit that engage a wide range of individuals within their projects, building confidence and resilience in adults and awareness in school children).  

I am delighted to have planted two trees to celebrate the fact that my daughter Scarlett will be studying Engineering at Newnham College. The two beech trees are the opening pair of an avenue we have planted along the Ridgeway. They can be seen within the magnificent ancient wildflower meadow which is accessible from the footpaths where the Ridgeway and Chiltern Way meet. Beech have been chosen as they are indigenous to the Chiltern Hills and thrive in pretty inhospitable soil.”

Below, a selection of photographs from the planting site as it moves through the seasons.