A group of Ryedale Brownies has applied to the Woodland Trust for a “hedge pack” as part of plans to commemorate the group’s Jubilee celebrations.

The 1st Norton Brownies, which has about 30 girls aged between seven and 10 have recently been working towards their world issues badge, which involves learning about Fairtrade and looking after the environment with a view to improving it for all to enjoy.

As part of this, they took part in a tree plant, “in an attempt to instill a sense of responsibility in the girls for supporting their local environment and the world around them,” said a letter to the Woodland Trust.

They have been liaising with Don Davies, the countryside officer at Ryedale District Council, and he suggested they could plant a short length of hedge at Lady Spring Woods as this fitted in with the plan for the wood.

It was also a good spot for the girls to be able to go back and see the trees grow over the years.

Planting saplings there would enable a natural and protected environment for them to grow in. Mr Davies also offered to help them with the planting and provided the canes and spiral guards The letter to the Woodland Trust pointed out that Lady Spring Woods was a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. It is managed in an naturalistic manner as possible to retain its integrity as a semi-natural woodland, allowing natural processes to take place and allow natural regeneration of trees to occur rather than planting trees into the existing woodland. “The wood has a beautiful mosaic trail designed and hand-made by Norton Wildlife Watch group,” continued the letter.

“It is bursting with ancient and beautiful springs bubbling with clear spring water.

“This natural area is an important site with abundant dead wood and calcareous flushes providing a rich habitat for invertebrates.”

Lady Spring Woods is popular with both the local community and visitors to the area.

“Planting a hedge pack in the local community would give the girls the valuable experience of tree planting. The Brownies will be able to revisit the site with parents, family and friends and watch the saplings mature, enabling them to have a bigger sense of pride in their surroundings and making them more aware of their environment.”

They also pointed out they had read an article on the Queen’s Jubilee Woods after the Jubilee celebrations last summer and the Brownies completed their Jubilee badge and joined in the festive celebrations.

“As our Brownie pack celebrates its Diamond Jubilee birthday later in 2013, we think planting the hedge would be a very fitting way to start our diamond jubilee year celebrations,” says the letter.

“It will also be a very memorable occasion which will be remembered for years to come.”