On Wednesday 12th March, a team from SDC visited our grassland plot in Olney to learn more about the planting process, sustainability features, and social benefits of the woodland. The visit marked a key milestone in SDC’s commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction.
The tree-planting process is now well-underway with a team of 5 from The Forest of Marston Vale Trust set to plant approximately 1000 trees per day over the coming week. The SDC team contributed to the planting effort, adding 5 trees to the area. This ambitious project forms part of SDC’s broader environmental commitment, ensuring SDC actively contributes to tackling climate change.
Managing Director, Adam Knaggs, attended the event and delivered a speech outlining his hopes for the woodland to become a thriving natural space that benefits both the environment and the community. He also reaffirmed SDC’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon by 2045.
Recognising human-driven climate change as one of the greatest environmental challenges facing modern society, SDC place a strong emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable business practices. As such, the woodland project will contribute to net zero goals, support biodiversity, and create a recreational area for employees and the wider community. Improved access to nature will also offer health and wellbeing benefits to those who visit, reinforcing the positive social impact of this initiative.
The orchard will feature around 35 fruit trees, sourced from a local supplier, and is expected to yield fruit within 2–3 years. The forested area will be planted with approximately 8,750 trees at a high density of 2,500 trees per hectare to maximise carbon sequestration. The design emphasises a mixed broadleaf woodland over a monocultural coniferous forest, aiming to strike a balance between environmental impact and biodiversity.
As SDC continue to place sustainability at the core of our operations, the Olney woodland project stands as a testament to SDC’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
