GoodGym members Michael and Ellen cycled and ran respectively, to a field in Trelai Park, Cardiff this past Saturday. The task - to help plant as many trees as possible during the 2 hour event, hosted by Coed Caerdydd.

Coed Caerdydd is an ambitious 10-year programme of tree canopy expansion in Cardiff, linked to the city’s One Planet climate change strategy. The Coed Caerdydd project will see the creation of new woodland and orchards across the city, essentially Cardiff’s very own urban forest, helping us create a visibly greener city and pushing us closer to our aim of increasing tree canopy cover in the city to 25%.

After a quick demo on how to dig the appropriate holes for different types of trees, the two GoodGymers got stuck in (not the holes thankfully!). There was a selection of hazel, oak and willow and even holly to be planted randomly within a huge grassy field. This will help to improve the biodiversity in the area as well as help clean the air, combat climate change and reduce noise pollution.

After a couple of hours, the two had planted over 30 trees! Combine this with the other volunteers' contributions and the result was a field day for Coed Caerdydd, for GoodGym, the residents of Ely, and for nature!

Footnote: After the task, we took a slight detour to walk over to the buried Ely Roman Villa - a scheduled ancient momunent in use from the 2nd to 4th century AD. Not much can be seen other than a rough, grassy raised area, but it's amazing to think that some Romanized settler built a small house on that very spot, nearly 2,000 years ago!

As good gymmers we are known for clearing gardens and allotments of weeds, but we are less know as those who plant things.

Some of our latest tasks though prove that wherever Good Gym Cardiff and Vale goes, a wildlife area is created.

This task was truly amazing because it got the team of four to plant around 20 trees between them!

But how?

First, there was a task referral from Trees for cities, a great charity that delivers tree planting projects we're they are needed most. Tremorfa Park in Cardiff was one of those areas. Trees, it is worth pointing out, are living carbon sinks so they help with offsetting some of the carbon emissions and in doing so help us lower the global temperature. Trees are great for wildlife, air filtration, provide shade and boost well-being especially in cities. So, of course, the task was aaa aaa maaaa zing on the so many fronts: outdoors, for community and the planet, fun and...tools and vegan food were provided.

Second, the good gymmers were not alone in this. Trees for cities opened up the task to volunteers from across Cardiff and did it to support Cardiff Council in their climate action. So, it is means that good gymmers followed instructions and guidance by some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people out there.

Third, the good gym just loves to dig and work that soil, so they were at it as pros!

So there, this is how GoodGym in Cardiff planted 20 trees in two hours.