What we're doing…

Tree Planting at Harmony Woods and The Diamond Wood

Harmony Woods is the result of a 10-year planting project 2012-2022, which gave all the children and young people in our community the chance to turn 12 acres of land into a natural urban woodland, increasing biodiversity and providing a wealth of opportunities for learning in and about the environment. Set within a total of 44 acres, there are ongoing opportunities for the whole community to be involved in the care of the wood and its development.

Tree Planting at Bury Hill Nature Reserve

In partnership with Test Valley Borough Council, we are annually planting at the Bury Hill Nature Reserve just outside Upper Clatford, creating a buffer belt of shrubby trees (hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, dog rose, guelder rose, field maple, and spindle) interspersed with oaks.

Nature in Harmony & Exchange Project

Nature in Harmony is an ongoing wildlife survey and community engagement project based in Harmony Woods and the wider Diamond Wood. Established in 2020 and led by our Ecology Intern each year, the aim of the project is to monitor ‘what’s living in the woods’, informing future conservation management decisions, and to educate and inspire the local community in concepts of woodland and grassland ecology, species identification, and field survey techniques.

An Andover Trees United youth project, registered with Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots ‘Mission Possible’ programme and working in collaboration with The Corcovado Foundation, Costa Rica. Created in 2020, in partnership with the Corcovado Foundation in Costa Rica, this project provides opportunities for youth and young adults to develop their local and global environmental and ecological knowledge and to learn new skills.

Disappearing WildflowerS: A Wildflower Project (coming soon)

A project designed to further create flower-rich meadows, particularly at the eastern end of the Diamond Wood, to allow ATU to continue its goal to improve the lowland calcareous grassland across the whole wood and surrounding areas. It is also ATU’s remit to engage with the community to achieve its biodiversity goals and there is an ongoing need to recruit more regular volunteers. Therefore, we propose that a wildflower infused project, that engages with the community, is the best way to achieve our goals.

What you can do…

Make your voice heard by those in power

Tell your Member of Parliament, local councillors and city mayors that you think action on climate change is important.

Find out who your MP is, and the best way to contact them - you could even attend one of their surgeries in your constituency. You can also find out who your local councillors are and how to contact them.

Join a social movement or campaign that focuses on environmental activities or gets everyone talking about climate change action.

Eat less meat and dairy

Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the biggest ways to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. Studies suggest that a high-fibre, plant-based diet is also better for your health, and replacing meat with protein-rich pulses can also be cost-effective: so a triple win. 

Eat fewer or smaller portions of meat, especially beef and lamb, which has the largest environmental impact, and reduce dairy products or switch them for non-dairy alternatives.

Try to choose fresh, seasonal produce that is grown locally to help reduce the carbon emissions from transportation, preservation and prolonged refrigeration.

Cut back on flying

If you need to fly for work, consider using video-conferencing instead. For trips in the same country or continent, take the train or explore options using an electric car. When flying is unavoidable, pay a little extra for carbon offsetting.

For leisure trips, choose nearby destinations, and fly economy – on average, a passenger in business class has a carbon footprint three times higher than someone in economy.

Leave the car at home

Instead of getting in the car, walk or cycle – and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits, and the money saved. For longer journeys, use public transport, try car sharing schemes, or consider investing in an e-bike.

Not only do cars contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but air pollution caused by exhaust fumes and tyre wear poses a serious threat to public health.

Investigate trading in your diesel or petrol car for an electric vehicle - if you drive a lot, you could save substantially on fuel costs. Alternatively, if you only need one for a short time, there are some all-electric car hire companies for short-term hire.

When behind the wheel, think about the way you drive:

• Switch off the engine when you park up.

• Make sure the tyres are fully pumped, and that the oxygen sensors are in good order – this can improve the cars fuel mileage and efficiency by up to 3% and 40% respectively.

• Drive smoothly.

Reduce your energy use, and bills

Small changes to your behaviour at home will help you use less energy, cutting your carbon footprint and your energy bills:

• Put on an extra layer and turn down the heating a degree or two to the recommended 18°C for healthy and suitably dressed people.

• Turn down the flow temperature of your boiler (this is different to turning down the room thermostat and can save 9% on your gas bills).

• Make simple changes to how you use hot water, like buying a water-efficient shower head, only filling the kettle with as much water as you need, and using the washing machine at 30° only when full.

• Avoid polluting wood burners and learn about more energy efficient ways to cook – including putting a lid on pans, and using a slow cooker, air fryer or microwave as opposed to the oven or a barbecue.

• Turn off lights and appliances when you don’t need them. Replace light bulbs with LEDs or other low-energy lights.

Make sure your home is energy efficient. Check the building has proper cavity wall or solid wall insulation. You can even have solid or suspended floor insulation. Also consider draught-proofing windows and doors. 

If you're living in the private-rented sector, check out this advice from the Energy Saving Trust and, if necessary, contact your landlord to ask them to make your property more energy efficient.

Switching energy supply to a green tariff is a great way to invest in renewable energy sources – and could save you money on bills too.  You could also save money by using a Smart Meter, which will display your energy usage and offer smart tariffs that may lower bills for heating and electric vehicle charging.  

Respect and protect green spaces

Green spaces, such as parks, gardens, woodland and nature reserves are important.

• They absorb carbon dioxide and are associated with lower levels of air pollution.

• They help to regulate temperature by cooling overheated urban areas, can reduce flood risk by absorbing surface rainwater and can provide important habitats for a wide variety of insects, animals, birds and amphibians.

• They also provide multiple benefits to public health, with studies linking green space to reduced levels of stress. 

Create your own green space. Add pot plants to your window sill or balcony, and if you have your own outdoor space, don't replace the grass with paving or artificial turf.

Help to protect and conserve green spaces like local parks, ponds or community gardens. Organisations like ours have advice and resources on how you can get involved. 

Plant trees. 

Bank and invest your money responsibly

Contact your bank, building society or pension provider to find out where they are investing your money, and ask if you can opt out of funds investing in fossil fuels.

Make My Money Matter campaign for banks and pension funds to be invested sustainably. There are also a number of ‘ethical banks’ you can consider for various accounts, including current and savings accounts.

Check out the The Switch Campaign for more information about changing banking habits.

Cut consumption and waste

Everything we use as consumers has an environmental footprint.

Be mindful of your consumption: try not to buy more than you need, and embrace the value of your current belongings.

Extend your product’s lifespan

Repair, reuse, upcycle and customise your items instead of discarding them. Buy second-hand from from thrift stores and charity shops, or buy quality items that last longer.

Make informed purchases by choosing brands that align with your eco-friendly values. Demand transparency from retailers and beware of greenwashing. Trace your product’s journey by reading labels to learn about human and material resources used.

Try to minimise waste

Avoid single-use items. Let brands know if you think they are using too much packaging – some will take customer feedback seriously. Ask for your purchases to be presented in recycled or minimal packaging

Minimise food waste by planning meals and properly storing leftovers, and consider composting organic waste.

Sort your waste into the right categories so it can be recycled properly. If you do not have appropriate bins, reach out to your council and advocate for improved waste management.

Talk about the changes you make

Conversations are a great way to spread big ideas.

Seeing others take action helps move the dial on what is seen as 'normal'. And people make more confident choices when they can learn from others' experience. As you make these positive changes to reduce your environmental impact, share your experience with your family, friends, customers and clients. Talk positively, and be honest about the ups and downs.

Thinking about the climate crisis can bring up intense, overwhelming feelings, such as worry, sadness, guilt and anger. These can be hard to cope with, leading to both mental health impacts and feelings of paralysis that prevent effect action to address the crisis.