AFTER suffering “significant damage” in Storm Ciarán, Howard Davis Park is to host the return of the light display Dreaming Trees next month.
The event aims to teach Islanders about the “Wood Wide Web” – the underground network of connected roots and plants in forests and other areas – and encourage them to use the park during the winter.
The theme for this year’s display are the four elements: water, earth, wind and fire.
Last year’s inaugural Dreaming Trees event came together when organisers wondered: if trees can communicate with each other, what would they dream about? More than 30,000 Islanders attended.
Bruce Labey, senior operations manager for parks and gardens, said: “We’re using these illuminations to, quite literally, shine a light on some of the fascinating research in this area.”
Mr Labey said that after Storm Ciarán – in which Island trees and Howard Davis Park suffered “significant damage” – the event would have “a somewhat poignant feel”.
The park lost some of its “star” trees in the storm and there had been a huge clean-up effort to make the park safe again, he added.
Dreaming Trees is sponsored by Rathbones Investment Management International and supported by the Creative Island Partnership.
Rathbones’ chief operating officer, Catherine Taylor, said: “After the success of the inaugural event in February 2023 we are excited to be involved again as the plans include new ways for visitors to enjoy the celebration of our woodland parks, which we are even more appreciative of and keen to protect and see flourish following the destruction of Storm Ciarán.”
The event is free to attend. It will take place in Howard Davis Park every night from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 February, from 6pm to 9pm.
Scavenger hunts and other educational and activity resources are available to download at: gov.je/DreamingTrees.
