On Saturday 28 January 2012 students and Canley residents rolled up their sleeves as they planted trees in support of a campaign to tidy up Coventry.

About 30 volunteers grabbed their shovels and got stuck in to the tree-planting mission at Canley Brook, next to Charter Primary school to help brighten up the area. The team included Warwick students, nearby residents and members of the Friends of Canley Spaces.

The volunteers planted over 450 trees including Oak, Ash and Scots Fir species. The campaign is backed by The Jubilee Wood Project, organised by the Woodland Trust charity, which has the Queen's support, and aims to plant trees across the UK and involve millions of people to celebrate the Queen's 2012 diamond jubilee. Back in November 2011, Warwick Volunteers and Friends of Canley Green Spaces planted over 250 trees in the Parkwood area of Canley, bringing the total number of trees planted up to 700.

Among the group who helped plant the trees was resident Anne Skene, who said:

We want to make the area a really great place to live in and this was a perfect opportunity for people to contribute in making that happen. It went so well and it’s been lovely to see people working together. I’ve been very happy with the turnout especially seeing younger faces who want help make the city an even better place to live. It’s so important to preserve our green spaces and make the most of them while we still can.

Warwick Volunteers provide opportunities for students and staff to get involved in the local community.