Tuesday

Unsung Heroes: Janet Willoner, Tree Giver of North Yorkshire

In a quiet corner of North Yorkshire, one woman has turned her garden into a forest of hope.

Janet Willoner Tree giver
Credit: Janet Willoner

Janet Willoner, a passionate gardener and environmentalist, has grown and donated more than 4,000 trees—yes, four thousand—from her own backyard. Without fanfare or funding, she’s spent years nurturing saplings that now thrive in parks, schoolyards, and community spaces across the region.

Her efforts recently earned her the Green Award from BBC Radio York, but Janet’s story goes far beyond accolades. It’s about the power of one person to make a lasting impact—root by root, tree by tree.

A Garden That Gives Back

What began as a personal love for gardening blossomed into a mission to restore nature. Janet carefully propagated native species, tended them through every season, and gave them away to anyone who needed them. Her trees now stand as living testaments to generosity and resilience.

In a time when climate anxiety can feel overwhelming, Janet’s work reminds us that change doesn’t always come from big institutions—it often starts in our own backyards.

Why It Matters

Reforestation is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change, support biodiversity, and improve air quality. By creating a local supply of trees, Janet has helped reduce the carbon footprint of sourcing and transporting plants, while strengthening community ties.

Her grassroots approach is a model for regenerative action—quiet, consistent, and deeply rooted in care.

A Legacy in Leaves

Janet’s story is a beautiful reminder that you don’t need a title or a budget to be a hero. You just need heart, patience, and a willingness to give.

So here’s to Janet Willoner—the Tree Giver of North Yorkshire—whose garden has grown more than greenery. It’s grown hope.

Read her story in her own words at Yorkshire Rewilding Network 

Janet Willoner, Tree Giver of North Yorkshire

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