The University of South Wales (USW) has joined the national tree planting initiative, the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

The scheme invites people from across the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’, encouraging communities, schools, universities and corporate organisations to plant trees sustainably during the official planting season, between October and March.

Alongside an extensive carbon offset planting scheme, in which USW has planted more than 80 trees of 12 native species across its estate, a hawthorn tree was planted to mark the University’s entry to the GQC initiative.

Creative and Therapeutic Arts (CTA) students, Katie Henderson and Solanged Portela Ruiz, helped plant the tree at USW’s Treforest Campus. The Creative and Therapeutic Arts course at USW is working with patients and staff from Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) at University Llandough Hospital on the Creative Canopies project.

The collaborative project is part of the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity’s Arts for Health and Wellbeing Programme, and is taking inspiration from the QGC as well as patient and staff ideas for new works of art to be displayed at the hospital.

USW will also be twinned with the hospital by sending a hazel sapling to the MHSOP unit, so that the hospital can plant a tree for the Jubilee.

Katie, who is in her second year of the CTA course, said: “This has been a lovely way for us to get involved with the Queen’s Green Canopy and the sustainability work that USW is doing, as it links so closely to the project we’re doing. I’ve enjoyed chatting with the patients and incorporating their passion for nature to the artwork we’re helping to create.”

Solanged, who is also in her second year, added: “I was born in Barcelona and grew up in Madrid, so having spent my life in large cities, I haven’t had many opportunities to get close to nature. The landscape is totally different here in Wales, so it’s been great to see such lush surroundings and so many tree species being grown.”

Heloise Godfrey-Talbot, Lecturer in Creative and Therapeutic Arts at USW, said: “Taking part in the Queen’s Green Canopy is so important for us because we’re connecting with nature for our Year 2 Arts in Health project, Creative Canopies. Nature is shown to have a beneficial effect on mental health, and this is a great opportunity to enhance our community and appreciate where we live. The bonus of twinning with the MHSOP day unit is a fitting tribute to our time spent with them.”

USW is working with Spencer Environmental, a land management company based in Ceredigion, to plant the high carbon absorption trees as part of the University’s target to become Carbon Neutral by 2040. Planting started last year at the Glyntaff Campus and has continued this planting season at Treforest.

Mike Davies, Maintenance Officer at USW, said: “Biodiversity is a major consideration for USW, and these trees help small mammals, birds and pollinating insects to thrive, as well as stabilising embankments and supporting fungal mycelium networks to wrap around tree roots and transfer vital minerals.

“There has been a concerted effort to reduce grass cutting and thus allowing grass sword to grow, and in turn allow wildflower species to succeed and thrive. Species counts have increased with several wild orchids appearing each successive year.

“It has been a great experience to involve our students in the planting scheme this year, and we look forward to introducing more tree species onto campus in the future.”