In the heart of Hampshire, Andover Trees United is quietly changing the landscape - not just of the land, but of the next generation’s relationship with nature. What began over a decade ago as a grassroots community initiative has grown into a thriving, 44-acre woodland, a living classroom, and a testament to the power of collective action. 

Why Planting Trees Matters

Planting trees is about so much more than simply placing saplings in the ground. For Andover Trees United, it’s an act of rewilding, restoring nature to its rightful place, and tackling some of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Through its “Harmony Woods” project, the charity transformed 12 acres into an urban woodland, part of a broader 44-acre site, over a decade of tree-planting.

But the benefits go beyond carbon capture. The woodland includes a wildflower meadow, a dipping pond, coppiced hazel thickets, hedgerows, and habitat corridors. These features increase biodiversity, giving insects, birds, and small mammals a place to thrive. The woodland is not a static green space, it’s part of an ecosystem, nurtured by volunteers and local schools, studied through wildlife surveys, and managed with ecological sensitivity.

From a social perspective, the trees represent a long-term legacy. They are a physical reminder of what a community can achieve together. By planting trees year after year, Andover Trees United is helping to build a resilient, green future for its residents one where people feel more connected to the land and to each other.

Getting Children Invested: Education Rooted in Nature

One of the most inspiring aspects of Andover Trees United’s work is how it brings children into the process. Over ten years (2012–2022), the organisation worked with around 25 local schools, directly involving about 10,000 children and young people in tree-planting and nature projects.

Every autumn (typically November), the charity runs School Tree Planting Weeks. During these weeks, hundreds of pupils head out to the woodland sites to plant native saplings like oak, hawthorn, and hazel. In 2023 nearly 1,200 trees were planted by children from over 20 schools, supported by volunteers.

Why is this so important? Because tree-planting becomes a way for children to connect emotionally with the natural world. They don’t just learn about photosynthesis or biodiversity in a classroom, they live it. They dig the soil; they discover which kind of tree they are planting - they see the worms and grubs in that soil and are truly engaged with the ecosystems involved. These kids can return in later years to check on how their saplings have grown. This sense of ownership fosters environmental stewardship.

It’s not merely about planting; it’s also about learning. Andover Trees United offers outdoor-learning support, tailored to school curriculum. The project volunteers and leaders are well informed and keen to share that knowledge with the kids They help teachers design lessons around field studies: ecology, biology, geography, art and more. The charity also organises volunteers to support school trips. When a team from Hildon volunteered to help with the tree planting in early November, they witnessed first-hand the enthusiasm of 91 ten-year-olds and the amazing way in which the Andover Trees team directed that energy and had them engaging with this conservation project. 

Beyond planting, the charity runs projects like “6 Trees & 6 Flowers”, where children learn to identify and understand native trees and wildflowers. Through all these experiences, young people gain agency: the confidence to care for nature, to speak up about climate issues, and to get involved.

The Role of Andover Trees United in the Community

Andover Trees United is more than an environmental charity - it’s a community builder. They run weekly volunteering day where people of all ages help manage the woodland, tend nursery beds, sow wildflowers, or maintain hedgerows. These activities promote physical wellbeing, mental health, and a sense of shared purpose.

There’s also a long-term vision: the charity is building a sustainable cabin in the woods- an off-grid classroom and base for conservation work. This “Cabin” will host workshops, creative projects, environmental training -making Harmony Woods a real hub for local nature connection.

Why Hildon Natural Mineral Water Is Getting Involved

As a company, we are deeply rooted in environmental values, and can see that Andover Trees United values of conservation, community, and sustainability, resonate with our core values.

Hildon’s own environmental commitment is robust. Our estate spans 180+ acres of protected nature, and our water is drawn from a single, carefully preserved chalk aquifer. We recognise that protecting the land around our source is not just good business - it's vital for the ecosystem we depend on.

That alignment of values makes Hildon a natural partner for Andover Trees United. By supporting tree planting and environmental education, Hildon hopes to support and promote the charity’s work.

Why the Partnership Matters

This partnership matters for a few key reasons:

1. Local Impact: Hildon is rooted in Hampshire, just like Andover Trees United. Their support is not distant corporate philanthropy, but community investment.
2. Shared Vision: Both organisations care deeply about long-term ecological health, not just one-off green gestures.
3. Education & Legacy: By supporting a youth-led tree-planting charity, Andover Trees helps nurture future environmental leaders.

Looking Forward

As Andover Trees United continues its work beyond the first 10-year planting phase, its ambitions remain high. They plan to maintain and expand the woodland, develop the Cabin into a fully functional field-study centre, and deepen their ties with local schools and ATU is well positioned to reach its goals. Their model shows how community activism, and youth engagement, with a little corporate social responsibility thrown in, can come together to make real change.

In a world facing environmental uncertainty, Harmony Woods stands as both a sanctuary and a symbol: a place where trees are rooted and children grow.