The Woodland Trust is helping millions of people to plant six million trees across the UK to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This will include 60 Diamond Woods — new areas of native woodland for people to enjoy for generations to come.

Nottinghamshire is to be part of the legacy project after being granted Diamond Wood status for University land near Sutton Bonington Campus. Planting of up to 40,000 trees at the site is expected to take place between October 2012 and February 2013. The University hopes to involve the local community, schools, former students and other interested groups in the planting, development and enjoyment of the Diamond Wood.

The University hopes to incorporate footpaths, activities and open spaces at the 60-acre site.

Professor Karen Cox, the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted by the news that our submission has been accepted as one of the Diamond Wood locations. It will give us a tremendous opportunity for community engagement through the planting of the wood as well as on an ongoing basis as the woodland matures.

“Our aim is to design the woodland as an educational resource demonstrating biodiversity and sustainability in woodland practice which will provide education, enjoyment and interest to future generations.”

The Woodland Trust has worked with a range of landowners from across the UK to create the Diamond Woods, including universities, local authorities, public bodies including British Waterways and the Ministry of Defence, through to developers and private landowners.

The 60 woods have been committed to transforming the UK’s landscape and local environments as part of the Trust’s Jubilee Woods Project: The Queen herself is creating a Diamond Wood, at Balmoral.

The new native woodlands will provide a rich habitat for wildlife and living, breathing spaces for generations to come.

The Diamond Wood at Sutton Bonington is the only one in Nottinghamshire. It will be located on two sites near the River Soar, linked by a footpath.

Martin Suthers, Deputy Leader at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Warm congratulations to The University of Nottingham for its successful bid to be able to plant one of 60 Diamond Woods.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the county to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a special and unique way and to lay down an environmental legacy for future generations to enjoy. The county council is excited about the prospect of getting actively involved in community engagement at a very local level with this project with the University, the Woodland Trust and other organisations and communities as part of the wider project team.”

Sustainability is a key strand of the University’s fundraising appeal, Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, which is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. The University is ideally positioned — scientifically, geographically and politically — to make a significant contribution to sustainability. More information about Impact is available at: http://tiny.cc/UoNImpact.

The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with just 13% cover compared to the European average of 44%.

Georgina McLeod, Woodland Trust’s head of Jubilee Woods, said: “We are absolutely delighted that The University of Nottingham has chosen to create a prestigious Diamond Wood. We very much hope that this inspires other landowners and communities to join us in paying a very special tribute to The Queen, while at the same time creating something living and lasting to hand on to future generations.

“Not only is this a chance to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee but it’s also a chance for people to improve their local environment and create somewhere for residents to enjoy and be part of. In just 10 years the trees will be taller than the average person and the woodland will be full of wildlife for many people to enjoy.”