MINI PLANTS OVER 8,000 TREES THROUGH TINY FOREST PARTNERSHIP.

MINI UK has planted its 14^th Tiny Forest as part of its partnership with Earthwatch Europe, totalling a combined area of 2,844 square metres of new forest across the UK.

The tennis-court sized forests each host over 600 native saplings, with evidence showing these spaces can attract over 500 new animal and plant species within the first three years.

Over the course of the two-year partnership, MINI Tiny Forest plantings have engaged over 1,600 volunteers including school children, university students, councillors, hospital staff and members of the local communities.

With the final planting at Coleshill near Birmingham, a Tiny Forest has now been planted near each of the three UK MINI manufacturing sites. These plantings were supported by Apprentices from MINI Plant Oxford, BMW Group Plant Hams Hall, and MINI Plant Swindon collectively.

The planting of these forests has enabled Earthwatch Europe to host 13 Science Days, where experts visit schools to help educate young people on the importance of nature, sustainability, and wildlife preservation.

Reflecting on the two-year partnership, Federico Izzo, Director, MINI UK & Ireland said, “Bringing people together, sustainability and creative use of space are all at the heart of MINI, making Earthwatch Europe the perfect partner to help us put these values into action. I am incredibly proud of the Tiny Forests we’ve planted so far, the green space they offer communities and their positive sustainable impact.”

Ben Williams, Senior Project Manager at Earthwatch said: “Our partnership with MINI has been such an exciting journey. Between Swindon in 2021 and planting the final trees of this season in Coleshill, we’ve planted 14 Tiny Forests together. This included the first Tiny Forest in the Republic of Ireland, which will benefit clients from the Tolka River Project – a drug rehabilitation programme, and their local community.

Together we’re making big changes using small spaces. We look forward to where these super tiny, super powerful forests can take us next planting season and beyond.”

Over the last two years, increased biodiversity has been observed at MINI Tiny Forests, which have attracted seven different butterfly species – including the Red Admiral and Skipper species – as well as frogs, newts, digger wasps’ nests and over 3,000 ground dwelling invertebrates.

MINI is excited to continue monitoring the progress of its Tiny Forests, the diverse wildlife they might attract and the ways in which they are utilised by communities throughout the UK and Ireland.

For more information about Tiny Forests visit https://earthwatch.org.uk/get-involved/tiny-forests

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
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About Earthwatch Europe

Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. We drive the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by:

• connecting people with the natural world
• monitoring the health of our natural resources
• informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact.

www.earthwatch.org.uk

MINI Press Office Contacts:

Tom Evans
MINI Press Officer
Tel: 07815 371705
Email: Thomas.Evans@mini.co.uk

Helen Wilson
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 372480                   
Email: Helen.Wilson@mini.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                
Corporate Communications Director
Tel:  07815 376867
Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

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