Did you know as well as his own wood, beloved children's character Winnie-the-Pooh also has his own day?
This Winnie-the-Pooh Day, held annually on the birthday of the author A. A. Milne (18 January), Mayor Dan Norris has issued a rallying call for local residents and businesses to back the creation of a brand-new forest for our part of the world – that’s even bigger than the bear's Hundred Acre Wood.
Back in 2021, the Mayor launched the region's tree strategy. It is aimed at significantly increasing tree coverage across the region, promoting biodiversity, and improving environmental sustainability. Since then, with support from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's Green Recovery Fund, hundreds of volunteers have been planting the Great Avon Wood in Publow. But the Mayor wants to go even further.
The Western Forest would see even more trees planted and promote environmental sustainability where local wildlife can thrive. This is vital as the West of England region currently has low woodland cover (around 8%, compared to 10% national average).
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, says:
"As a region we need to be more Tigger-like. The West of England is ‘full of wonderful things’ but we need more investment to be even better. We need to keep banging the drum for the West.
“Winnie-the-Pooh always knew that ‘the best things in life are the simple things,’ and a large, accessible forest is one of those simple yet important things.
“We need more green spaces where people can ‘think, think, think’ about the environment and experience the wonder of nature. It’s time to create a place where people of all ages can wander ‘happily ever after,’ and feel right at home."
