By Charlie Fenton
Wildlife volunteers have come up with a novel way of battling coastal erosion – using old Christmas trees.
Thousands of the discarded festive trees are being buried along the Fylde Coast, Lancs, with hopes they will help form new sand dunes.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) says that as the wind blows the trees – which were donated by residents – will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion.
They also say the trees – which were planted by LWT volunteers – will help create a “defensive barrier” against tides, sand, and wind, protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Fylde Sand DunesProject Senior Engagement Officer, Amy Pennington said: “Christmas trees, donated by you, are strategically placed in front of our existing dunes.
“As the wind blows, the branches of the trees trap sand, gradually creating new dunes.
“The sand dunes along the Fylde Coast are home to a diverse and specialized ecosystem, hosting a variety of unique plants and animals.
“A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), they play a crucial role in providing habitat for flora and fauna of international and national importance.
“Additionally, they serve as an effective soft sea defense for our local community.
“Sadly, over the past 150 years, we’ve lost more than 80 percent of our dunes due to coastal town expansion.
“The Fylde Sand Dunes Project, aims to restore and conserve these dunes by growing them seawards to enhance their effectiveness as a natural sea defense.”
The charity is encouraging more locals to donate their old trees at several locations across the country as three further planting days are planned.
The charity’s planting of Christmas trees is an annual event which first started in 2013.
It is funded by the Environment Agency.
Last year over 2,000 trees were donated.
The charity also says they have witnessed an impressive 90-meter increase in the width of the Fylde Sand Dune system due to the scheme.
