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28th September 1999

Press Release Issued by Esso Trees of Time and Place: 26 September 1999

'BE PREPARED' FOR THE MILLENNIUM SAY THE SCOUTS

"Scouting is like an acorn - it started off very small and has been growing ever since." Lord Baden-Powell, founder of The Scout Association, 1909.

The Gilwell Oak, landmark tree for Scouts all over the world, became the focus of attention at the launch of the Esso Trees of Time and Place Scout Forester Badge this weekend. Scouts from 1st Bottisham Group, Cambridgeshire and Cub Scouts from Hampstead District, Greater London Central, helped Chris Packam from the BBC Really Wild Show to celebrate the launch of the badge and the forthcoming Seed Gathering Season at Scout Headquarters in Gilwell Park.

Trees of Time and Place* is a national initiative, which encourages people to gather seeds from a favourite tree, and plant trees for the Millennium. Trees of Time and Place has now joined forces with The Scout Association to give Scouts a Forester badge with a difference. Not only will they learn how to identify trees, protect the forests and get to grips with the woodland cycle but they will also have a chance to make their own personal mark for the Millennium by collecting seeds to plant a sapling tree before the Year 2000.

Every Scout Group pledging to grow a tree will be represented on the Millennium Map on the Trees of Time and Place web site and will also have their name put into a time capsules which will be buried in the Year 2000 in selected sites around the UK.

And it doesn't stop there. Scouts can also get involved in other Trees of Time and Place events, including Seed Gathering Sunday on 10th October. On this day, and throughout Autumn, hundreds of events, organised by Trees of Time and Place partners, will be taking place across the country to help people with seed collection and to give some practical tips on sowing and after care. Free seed bags, labels and other information will be available for each event.

To find out more about the campaign and events in your area call Trees of Time and Place on 0345 078139 or visit the new website at http://www.totap.org.uk

For further information/visuals, please contact: Tessa Lewis/Leila Bateman Tel: 0171 372 3234 Fax: 0171 836 4788

Notes to editors:

*Trees of Time and Place is a national initiative which is encouraging millions of people to gather seeds, sow them and plant seedling trees to celebrate the new millennium. The Trees of Time and Place campaign is backed by a unique partnership of more than 80 organisations including most of the country's leading environmental and community organisations. Thousands of individuals, over 1600 schools, 260 MP's and more than 150 local authorities are already involved in the campaign.

For further information contact: Public Relations (Public.Relations@Scouts.org.uk) or look at: Trees of Time and Place (http://www.totap.org.uk)