Bank of Scotland Corporate colleagues get stuck into the weeding!

Seven Bank of Scotland Corporate colleagues from the Energy Origination (Equity & Debt) team colleagues braved some unseasonal mist and rain during June to help in a woodland regeneration project near Edinburgh, alongside the non-profit organisation New Caledonian Woodlands.

The day involved fencing and weeding, as well as laying carpet mulch mats to give newly planted trees the best chance of survival as the carpet prevents weeds from overpowering the trees in the very early stages of their life cycle.

Among the trees planted at the site are birch, ash, willow, Scots pine, hawthorns and rowans - all native to Scotland. As well as offsetting carbon emissions, the new tree plantation will enhance biodiversity by creating and enhancing habitats for hundreds of species of native birds, mammals, plants and insects.

Andrew Sloan, a colleague in the Energy – Equity team, said: "The day offered everything we were looking for – an outdoor activity helping us to bond and work as a team, and giving the satisfaction at the end of the day of having completed the task in hand. Helping to offset carbon emissions is very much aligned to the Bank's environmental agenda in 2008 and we hope to take part in a larger scale tree planting session later in the year."

Andy Ross, Director at NCW said "We were delighted the bank sent a team to help out with this, our first new tree plantation. The work they achieved on the day was invaluable and will help give the trees a better chance in the first years of their life."

NCW aims to help make real environmental improvements in Scotland and is always happy to hear from volunteers – Find out more.