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BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

Aware that many people choose to fly to the French Retreat we have initiated a tree planting programme to offset the carbon emissions created by our guests. If you would like you to be part of this we invite you to contribute. The French Retreat will match every purchase you make.

 

Planting billions of trees across the world is by far the biggest and cheapest way to tackle the climate crisis, according to scientists.

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As trees grow, they absorb and store the carbon dioxide emissions that are driving global heating. New research estimates that a worldwide planting programme could remove a staggering two-thirds of all the emissions that have been pumped into the atmosphere by human activities, a figure the scientists describe as “mind-blowing”.

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We face the threat of possible climate breakdown and eco-system collapse, and the reality is that neither the corporate world nor the governmental world are going to initiate decisive action against their own short-term interests, defined in terms of growth and electability. It is down to people like us to make a difference.

 

For every tree you buy here we will buy another and plant them both. All of every carbon-offset will go towards buying trees. The planting, watering, pruning, mulching and love will be provided by us. 

We will provide a close up photo of your tree planted and a wider shot so you can see its position on the land. If for any reason your tree does not survive we will replace it for free.

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This is only one small part of the solution. We believe reducing our global dependence on fossil fuels is still a priority as well as doing all we can personally to limit wasting resources.

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WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR

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Courtyard 2014

One crab apple tree

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Driveway 2014

3 Rowan Trees

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Pool area 2013

One existing Box

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2018 donations

Thanks to the Hoffman Retreat April 2018 participants we planted an Apple, Plum, Magnolia and Lilac tree plus a Blueberry and an Oleander bush

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Courtyard 2016

2 Sumac trees, 26 lavender, 10 Russian Sage, 2 Japanese Meadowsweet, Curry plant

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Driveway 2016

Six fruit trees: an early and a late fruiting Apple, Medlar, Sumac, Quince and Cherry. 

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Pool area 2016

12 Hornbeam trees, 2 Star Jasmine, 2 Ceanothus

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2018 planting

In 2013 we planted out one loquat tree we had grown from a stone. We have another 8 babies on the way.

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Courtyard 2019

Guelder rose, Abelia x grandiflora, 3 European smoke tree, Pomegranate, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Buddleia

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Driveway 2018

8 mixed Holly Trees

Holistic Retreat Centre

Garden 2015

2 Hazel, Pouplier negra, Weeping willow, Acer rubrum, Mulberry

 

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Caroline Hinkley anti nuclear power demo

It's not just trees

Caroline Lucas, M.P. with Emma Pruen protesting at the Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station

Future Plans

What next

Our Sums

185 guests making a return flight from the UK would create 64.56 tons of CO2. How we calculate the number of trees we need to plant

Good Reads

Here's the scientific research and press we've read to inform our decisions

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