To mark its centenary, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (AMWA) has pledged to plant 100,000 trees across the UK.  The association is an auxiliary branch of the Ahamadiyya Muslim Community, established in 1922 as an independent, empowered women’s organisation. 

The chapter in Burton has already started with tree seedlings in Derby, Nottingham and Coventry, and is now collaborating with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to plant native trees on the Branston Leas Nature Reserve.  Demonstrating care for the planet is important to the AMWA, especially amid the fear of climate change.

Dr. Bushra Anas, the group’s president, describes the act of planting trees as a "green legacy; a promise to the future generation that provides benefits which cannot be overstated.”

On Saturday, 15^th January 2022 the group braved the cold to plant a number of native trees, including oak, holly, silver birch, and cherry, which will improve the landscape for both reserve visitors and wildlife. This will bring the local chapter of AMWA tree planting total to over 1500 trees. To commemorate this event, the group placed a plaque on reserve for future generations to come and visit. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust welcomes the charitable act as part of a 10-year project establishing community connections on the Branston Leas reserve which is owned by St. Modwen Properties.

Shaun Rimmer, Team Wilder Lead at Staffordshire Wildlife Trusts says, “If we want to ensure that 30% of land and sea is dedicated to nature by 2030, we’re going to need cooperation from everyone; politicians, landowners like St. Modwen, and communities like AMWA. We’re grateful for help from groups such as these, and encourage anyone who wants to get involved to get in touch. There is much to be done.”