Thread by @HS2ltd

HS2 is Britain’s biggest environment project, delivering miles of ecological and landscape investments alongside construction. On #WorldEnvironmentDay, find out more about the huge scale of environment work and the benefits #fornature. gapi.io/6rDW
1/12

HS2’s already created over 60 new #wildlife habitats. Grassland, ponds, and plantings now support reptiles, badgers, birds, and bats. At Finham Brook in #Warks six new ponds benefit great crested newts amid 6,200 new trees. #WorldEnvironmentDay
2/12

HS2’s also planting 7 million #trees and shrubs between #London and #Birmingham alone. Over 40 species are being grown by Crowders Nurseries, a family run #SME in #Lincs. We’ve already planted 350,000 of them. #WorldEnvironmentDay
3/12

HS2’s new woodlands and hedgerow planting creates 33 square kilometres of new #woodland and #habitat for #wildlife. That’s 30% more than what’s there now. Our planting also helps join up existing habitats too. #WorldEnvironmentDay
4/12

HS2’s also undertaking one of the UK's largest ecological surveys. The data informs how we mitigate our impact and finds opportunities to leave a bigger natural legacy. It’s supplemented by @NaturalEngland, @WoodlandTrust and The Wildlife Trusts’ data. #WorldEnvironmentDay
5/12

HS2 is also funding new local native broadleaf #woodlands and the restoring of existing ancient woodlands. Already £1.2m of the £7m fund is supporting 25 projects: 103 hectares of new woods and restoring 63 hectares of ancient woodland. #WorldEnvironmentDay
6/12

85% of the total area of 62 ancient woodlands affected by HS2 will remain intact. In many cases only a small section of an overall woodland is affected. Only 0.39 square km will be lost between London and Crewe. #WorldEnvironmentDay
7/12

HS2’s also pioneering new methods for planting and protecting trees. We’ve used over 39,000 #biodegradable tree guards in new habitats. Made from 100% recycled card, they decompose once trees are established. #WorldEnvironmentDay
8/12

HS2’s already provided 21 new nest sites for barn owls too. Working with farmers and landowners along the route, we’ve found and prepared new locations. It’s all part of our wider action plan for #BarnOwls. #WorldEnvironmentDay
9/12

HS2’s salvaging ancient woodland soils to new receptor sites, creating habitats for flora and fauna. This also includes salvaging coppice stools and saplings. We’re also pioneering new techniques to replicate #woodland canopy at the new sites. #WorldEnvironmentDay 10/12

To preserve #biodiversty, HS2 works with #horticulture specialists to take grafts from veteran trees. These are grown as saplings and then planted as part of more joined-up habitats along the route. #WorldEnvironmentDay
11/12

Finally, we’re ensuring wildlife has access across our route. As well as many miles of tunnels on HS2’s Phase One, there will be 140 bridges and underpasses. 16 will be specially designed green bridges covered in planting. #WorldEnvironmentDay
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