National Grid Electricity Distribution volunteers support woodland protection in Worcestershire

National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) employees have joined forces with the Heart of England Forest at Sheriffs Lench, Worcestershire, to protect their young trees from damage.

This activity is part of NGED’s long-term partnership with the Heart of England Forest, which aims to reverse centuries of woodland decline by creating and conserving a vast 30,000-acre broadleaf forest throughout Warwickshire and Worcestershire for the benefit of the environment, wildlife, and people.

Since the launch of NGED’s employee volunteering programme in April 2024, employees have contributed over 600 hours to Heart of England Forest activities - supporting woodland creation, biodiversity surveys, and habitat management across key sites including Sheriffs Lench.

This month, 20 NGED volunteers worked alongside Heart of England Forest staff to remove old tree shelters and install hundreds of new biodegradable guards, ensuring young trees can thrive despite wildlife browsing and other environmental pressures.

Sheriffs Lench is home to a rich and diverse habitat, including rare species such as the Grizzled Skipper butterfly - listed as Vulnerable on the GB Butterfly Red List - and nesting skylarks. Conservation grazing and habitat management supported by NGED have helped maintain the short sward and bare soil conditions needed for these species to flourish.

Andy Parsons, Chief Executive of Heart of England Forest, said:

“As a valued multi-year corporate partner, we were delighted to welcome colleagues from National Grid Electricity Distribution to the Heart of England Forest as part of their Global Grid for Good Day of Service week.  Their help with essential tree guard removal has made a meaningful contribution to the care and maintenance of our growing woodlands, and it is wonderful to see our partnership in action through their continued commitment to environmental stewardship." 

National Grid’s Global Grid for Good Day of Service is part of the company’s social impact and community engagement initiative. This program focuses on three pillars – increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce and supporting community resilience. This year’s efforts had National Grid employees volunteering across the U.S. and the U.K. for a day of service in the local communities the company serves.

Komie Jain, Global Head, Social Impact and Community Investment at National Grid, said:

“I’m grateful for the impactful work our community partners are doing, working side-by-side with our volunteers, many of whom live and work in the communities we serve. Volunteering is not just about giving back, it’s about creating connections and strengthening communities.”

The partnership between NGED and Heart of England Forest is set to continue until 2028, with a shared vision of creating a meaningful environmental legacy that goes beyond tree planting and demonstrates a proactive commitment to conservation.