Train the Trainer | Big Tree Measure 2025 at The Carbon Community

Calling all Volunteer Supervisors, The Carbon Community is getting ready for the Big Tree Measure 2025!

`This October, we will once again be measuring 6,400 trees in our Carbon Study. Last year the event was a huge success thanks to our incredible community science volunteers and a fabulous team of volunteer supervisors!

This is our FIFTH year measuring the trees and they are really growing. We are looking for volunteer supervisors to help ensure quality and assist the teams in the field.

All volunteer supervisors will need to attend the training session on Thursday 2nd October from Noon – 4pm.

A typical day as a supervisor would be as follows. Meet at The Carbon Community 30 minutes prior to the start time for coffee & tea. After the group training session, we will divide the volunteers into teams. Each team will have a supervisor whose role is to help with measurement techniques in the field, answer questions , organise who is measuring which rows, and importantly help keep up morale and ensure people are having fun!

Our Carbon Study

Glandwr Forest is a new native broadleaf forest and is home to The Carbon Community’s landmark carbon study which aims to help trees absorb more carbon from the air by accelerating tree growth and improving soil biodiversity. Designed together with leading scientists, this unique field trial studies two nature-based approaches, forest microbiome inoculation and enhanced rock weathering. Launched in May 2021, the study involves 25,600 trees including broadleaf and conifer planted across 11.5 hectares.

Community Science

Citizen science, sometimes called community science, is where people can help scientists in their work by taking measurements.

Activities include measuring

• 🌳 Diameter at base
• 🌲 Diameter at 1.3 metres
• 📏 Height

• 📱 Recording the information

We will work in pairs out in the field. Please note that all activities are physical and on un-even terrain. Activities are suitable for 16+, under 18s must bring a responsible adult.

Train the Trainer Day - Thursday 2nd October

• Noon - 13:00 Light lunch and training session
• 13:00 - 15:00 In the field
• 15:00 - 16:00 Debrief and set up for following day's event
  
  Following the training, Volunteer Supervisors can help out on any of the following dates. Even if you could help as a supervisor for one day, that would be great!
  
• Friday 3rd October 9:30 am - 4 pm
• Saturday 4th October 9:30 am - 4 pm
• Sunday 5th October 9:30 am - 4 pm
• Tuesday 7th October 8:30 am - 3 pm
• Wednesday 8th October 10:30 am - 5 pm
• Thursday 9th October 9:30 am - 4 pm
• F riday 10th October 9:30am - 4 pm
• Saturday 11th October 9:30 am - 4 pm
• Sunday 12th October 9:30 am - 4 pm

Location

Address is The Carbon Community, Cynghordy, Llandovery SA20 0LW.

• 📍Follow directions to The Carbon Community on Google Maps (not the postcode)
• 📍what3words apply/shelter/wordplay

Once you reach Cynghordy, follow the road under the viaduct. We are the first turning on the left over a small green bridge. There are signs for The Glandwr Forest and Penlan at the bridge. The driveway to our site is up a steep hill from the bridge. We are trying to keep the carbon footprint of the project as low as possible, please consider this in your travel plans.

What to bring

Our volunteering takes place outdoors, the grass around the trees is long and can remain wet with rain or morning dew. There are nettles in places. Old clothes are recommended.

• Sun protection, wind protection or rain protection depending on the day.
• We strongly recommend long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, plenty of warm layers, a pair of dry socks and a hat.
• Sturdy footwear, ideally waterproof. Wellies are recommended in wet weather.
• Please bring a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and gardening gloves or similar.
• A rucksack is also useful.
• If you normally carry an Epi-pen for severe allergies, please bring it with you.
• Our indoor volunteer area is one room which includes the kitchen and an induction hob. If this is a risk to you please let one of the supervisors know so we can make arrangements.
  

Food & Drinks

• Please bring a water bottle and plenty of water. We have treated spring water on site.
• The Carbon Community will provide hot drinks, snacks and a lunch suitable for vegetarians, with gluten-free options. If you have additional dietary requirements please bring your own lunch and snacks. Note that our barn is a peanut-free environment.
  

Useful Information

• Electric Car Charging: There is a car charging station in Llandovery in the public car park. Please refer to Zap Map for status.
• La Patisserie 2 High St, Llandovery SA20 0PT is a wonderful local bakery.
• Co-op supermarket High St, Llandovery SA20 0RA is open from 6:00 – 22:00 Monday through Saturday and 10:00 – 16:00 on Sunday.
  

Any questions? Get in touch!

• The Carbon Community: info@carboncommunity.org
  

THANK YOU! DIOLCH!