🌿 A Day to Plant & a Day to Return: A Volunteer Diary
Community Tree Planting and Long‑Term Monitoring: A Volunteer Case Study with TCV in March and July 2025
Greetings everyone! I’m Sofonie Dala, a sustainability impact volunteer. Welcome to our eco-friendly platform—where real, non-fiction stories shine, and everyday people tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
🌱 March 2025: Planting Day at Lighthouse Cottages
In March 2025, I joined TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) in Thorpe, Driffield—at a charming spot called Lighthouse Cottages. It started as a radiant, sunny day. We arrived to a warm greeting from a kind couple…and their cheerful dog. Our mission? To plant a mix of native, woodland-standard trees, lay down protective mulch, and water them well—a classic yet vital reforestation routine.
TCV’s I Dig Trees initiative has planted over 3 million native UK trees since 2015. Thanks to their meticulous approach—packing tree-packs with planting and aftercare instructions—the planted trees benefit wildlife, climate, and local community green spaces (TCV).
We celebrated our efforts with a hearty lunch together. And as a simple act of joy and refreshment, we stopped by a roadside ice cream stand—nature and community work taste best when sweetened by ice cream!
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📅 July 2025: The Vital Check-Up Visit
Fast-forward three months to July 2025—our team returned with handheld maps to assess growth and survival. Here’s what we found:
Some saplings flourished beautifully 🍃
Others needed some extra watering
A few, unfortunately, didn’t survive
What this taught us: planting is just the first step—without consistent care and monitoring, many trees won’t thrive.
Citizen-science models from TCV encourage volunteers to revisit and collect data regularly to ensure survival and health, emphasizing that “initial planting is not enough”.
Lessons Learned: Why Follow-Ups Matter
Ongoing care increases survival: Regular watering and checks mean planted trees are more likely to thrive.
Data-driven action is critical: Monitoring outcomes helps focus resources and refine planting strategies.
Community and teamwork matter: Returning to the site keeps us connected—to both the trees and each other.
The Joy of Being a Volunteer: Community & Recognition
After witnessing the mix of successes and challenges, we celebrated with a meal and I received my official TCV volunteer uniform—a proud moment of recognition and belonging.
TCV emphasizes that volunteering enriches your well-being, builds skills, and connects you with nature and community.
🌍 Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Your participation in efforts like ours supports key SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Trees absorb CO₂ and help combat climate change.
SDG 15 – Life on Land: Native tree planting promotes biodiversity.
SDG 3 – Good Health & Well‑being: Volunteering outdoors improves physical and mental health.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities: Greening neighbourhoods enhances quality of life.
✨ Join the Movement: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Find a local tree-planting project, like through TCV's “I Dig Trees” initiative (TCV, woodlandtrust.org.uk, theconservationvolunteers.org.uk).
Plant thoughtfully—choose native species and follow volunteer guidance.
Return regularly to water, monitor, and record survival outcomes.
Share your journey—inspire others with your sustainable impact story.
Final Thoughts
Planting trees is a fantastic start. But making a real difference means coming back for them—checking their progress, celebrating their growth, and caring for what we've set in motion. This is how small actions turn into lasting change.
Together, we grow—one tree, one revisit, one community at a time. Stay involved, stay mindful, and let’s build a greener future together.
Warm greetings, and thank you for joining our journey. I’m Sofonie Dala, your fellow volunteer—inviting you to plant, revisit, and inspire.
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