Vertas Supports Creation of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest

As a key delivery partner, Vertas Derbyshire Limited is pleased to support the creation of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest.

This February, the first of more than 47,000 trees were planted, marking the beginning of the project. Vertas Derbyshire Limited is responsible for tree planting across nine of the 17 sites, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

The council’s project aims to increase biodiversity, support climate action, and create greener spaces for local communities.

On February 20th, members of Vertas Derbyshire Limited’s Grounds team attended Hepthorne Lane, near Grassmoor Country Park, for the start of the first planting season.

The occasion recognised the start of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest and was attended by Cllr Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, and Woodland Creation Adviser Iaian Stafford.

Vertas’ Grounds team is working hard to bring this vision to life, which will contribute to the wider Million Trees project, which aims to plant one million trees across the country by 2030.

By the end of the first planting season, in March 2025, approximately 47,000 trees will be planted across 43 hectares of land, including locations such as a major business park by the M1 and a canal-side wharf in Pinxton. The next planting season is set to start in October 2025.

Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is funded by England’s Community Forest Trees for Climate Fund, supported by Defra, and aligns closely with Vertas Group’s commitment to sustainability.

Through its work on Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest, Vertas Group is proud to work in partnership to help make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Rachel Shaw, Head of FM Services at Vertas Derbyshire Limited, said: “We are proud to be a part of this great initiative, supporting Derbyshire County Council to create lasting environmental benefits.

Sustainability is a core value for us, and we’re committed to prioritising this in our work wherever possible. By contributing to the creation of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest, we’re pleased to support climate action and help create a greener, healthier future for our communities.”

Find out more about Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest here.

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