Woodland Trust trees inspire next generation of Ukrainian youth

Hundreds of trees donated by the Woodland Trust are giving the next generation of Ukrainians in the United Kingdom symbolic hope of a better future.

The Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, gave over 400 free trees to the Ukrainian Youth Association to plant at its base in Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, as part of its popular Free Trees for Schools and Communities initiative.

The charity sends out hundreds of thousands of trees completely free of charge twice a year to help green up parks, schools and community spaces in the UK.

Known in Ukrainian as Tarasivka, the Ukrainian Youth Association’s UK headquarters is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. As well as working to promote and preserve their home country's history and traditions, the association engages Ukrainian young people in social and personal development, team building and volunteering opportunities to educate and spread awareness of their culture.

The group planted 420 free saplings, replacing trees that were previously felled - as well as regenerating patches of nearby woodland.

Anna Fedeczko, chair of the association, said the opportunity to transform their UK base Tarasivka, with free trees from the Woodland Trust, was “fantastic” and a fitting way to show support as the war in Ukraine reaches its third anniversary on February 24th.

The UYA also put together “boxes of goodness” for the troops in their homeland – which contain all sorts of goodies and supplies, from socks and cards to snacks and energy bars.
 
“The boxes were a lovely way to show our support and the trees will grow and flourish for years to come," she said. "One of my colleagues came across the offer for trees for schools and communities. We thought this is great because it can involve young and old, and it can carry on, and it is not just for sustainability but for preserving the land and nature. This is a centre where all Ukrainians in Great Britain can come together.”

Steve Dewhurst, who works on the Trust’s free trees team, said: “It was fantastic to see so many children getting involved. Visiting planting sites and witnessing the excitement and engagement of free tree recipients is one of our great pleasures."

Thanks to support from its funders, the Woodland Trust is sending out 450,000 free tree saplings to 5,000 schools and community groups across the UK this spring, with 18% of trees going to neighbourhoods identified as highest priority because of a lack of tree cover in the area according to their Tree Equity Score. Last autumn the Trust delivered close to 600,000 saplings, 17% of which went to areas of the UK with the lowest tree coverage.

Steve added: “Our planters are helping to change local landscapes for the better by bringing native trees and nature back where they belong. We’d like to thank our funders and dedicated stakeholders for their support. We're working hard now to ensure autumn 2025 is an even bigger success.”