The Edinburgh launch of the Trees4TwoNations project took place in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on 3 March when two rare trees were planted by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and Dana Linnet, the US Consul General in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The trees, an Arran Whitebeam representing Scotland and a Rock Chestnut Oak representing the United States were planted to represent the deep historical and cultural roots, and the friendship between, the people of Scotland and the United States of America. The initiative aims to bring about positive change in environmental understanding and co-operation through a collaborative process and organisers say that with growing evidence of global climate change, nations must work together to try to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing us for the benefit of future generations.
The Trees4TwoNations initiative takes a multi-tiered approach and aims to build relationships on a social, cultural and commercial level. And at a time when building partnerships abroad are increasingly important for economic and environmental reasons, the project was given the seal of approval by Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead. Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland and America share many common goals and values, and today is a great opportunity for us to celebrate and build on this for the future. Visiting America at the end of last year, I was struck by the many similarities between our nations. In the most recent US Census, nearly 5 million Americans self-reported Scottish ancestry, demonstrating the close relationship between our two nations.”
The idea to link cities in the US with those in Scotland came from a chance meeting and subsequent friendship between Scotsman Angus Crabbie, who runs Trees4Scotland, and a native of Tennessee with some obvious Scottish roots – Rob Roy McGregor! The linking of Knoxville, Tennessee with Edinburgh is just the start with more cities to follow, as Angus Crabbie explained: “The support we have had for the launch of Trees4TwoNations has been immense and from many sources including the Scottish Government, American Government, the business community and the public in general. We see this very much as the start of the journey for Trees4Two Nations, and look forward to growing the project over the coming months and years.”
The Edinburgh event follows a US launch in Knoxville Tennessee, and a plaque marking the collaboration is to be unveiled at the Botanic Gardens later this spring. Botanic Gardens Regius Keeper Professor Stephen Blackmore said: ““Trees4Two Nations is a great project that works well on many different levels. It serves to draw attention to the role of botanic gardens on both sides of the Atlantic in planting and conserving rare trees, it reminds us all of the vital role trees play in the global environment and, as a very international organisation, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh enjoys such opportunities for promoting the best of Scotland”.
More information on the project is available online at www.trees4twonations.com
Dave Pickering
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