A defence firm based in Yeovil has joined forces with military veterans to plant thousands of trees.
Leonardo has planted 2,000 native saplings on its Somerset site as part of a wider plan to improve biodiversity and absorb carbon.
By the end of the season, the company plans to plant an additional 2,000 trees in the community.
Loris Buffon, sustainability lead at Leonardo in Yeovil, said: "We felt really proud to work alongside the veterans planting a local range of sapling trees.
"Planting 4,000 trees will help us create resilient and dynamic habitats, working towards our goal of achieving net zero for our operations (scope one and two) by 2030."
The project was delivered in partnership with Carma, a social enterprise that employs veterans to support local climate action.
Jim Holland, co-founder of Carma, said: "Days like these are why we built Carma.
"Seeing veterans and Leonardo employees working side by side, planting 2,000 native saplings that will protect wildlife and strengthen the local ecosystem for decades, is incredibly special.
"These hedgerows will grow long after we’ve gone, and so will the sense of purpose and pride felt by everyone involved."
The saplings will form new hedgerows, which play a critical role in the ecosystem by providing shelter, food, and nesting sites for wildlife.
Hedgerows act as wildlife corridors, connecting habitats and allowing animals to move safely across the landscape.
They also reduce soil erosion, trap pollutants before they reach watercourses, and support pollinators by supplying nectar and pollen.
New research suggests that soil beneath hedgerows stores 40 per cent more carbon on average compared to grassland, helping to combat climate change.
Leonardo’s Yeovil site already includes several historic green areas, such as two badger setts thought to be more than 200 years old.
The site also attracts thousands of pied wagtails each year and supports nesting wheatears in old rabbit holes.
Leonardo carries out annual surveys of its trees, including mature oaks, to ensure their health.
Trees that fail to thrive are relocated to give them a better chance of survival.
The company has set out broader sustainability targets, including cutting direct and indirect emissions by 40 per cent by the end of 2025 compared to 2018 levels.
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