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The climate crisis can often seem an abstract and distant concept to many people – except perhaps at times of extreme weather.

It’s easy to resign yourself to the thinking of “what can I do?” especially in the face of countries such as China seemingly doing little to cut down their carbon emissions.

This overwhelmingness isn’t far from the mind of Caerphilly town resident Mary Clunes, but that didn’t deter her from organising two innovative tree planting events for the community to get involved with last month.

A total of 180 trees were planted – 60 in a park off Bartlett Street and 120 at Porset Brook Field, off Bedwas Road.

The community turned out in force with spades – showing just how important the issue of the environment is to people.

She said: “It is less than a drop in the ocean addressing the climate crisis, but I was really heartened by the willingness of people.”

Sourcing the 180 saplings to be planted wasn’t a big challenge either, thanks to the ingenious method used by Mary and her husband Jonathan Clarkson.

Mary explained: “We have been growing saplings, from tree seeds collected locally, for a couple of years. We have also ‘rescued’ saplings from cracks in pavements etc, where they would not reach maturity otherwise.

“This has literally cost us nothing but time – and not very much of that either.”

The planting of the saplings was the next stage in their tree rescue, having given away between 150 and 200 of them at three previous giveaways in the town centre.

Mary continued: “We decided to try and expand the idea into the public realm. Caerphilly has so many green spaces, in social and private housing estates, in parks etc, that are ideal for tree planting.”

Working with the council, Mary secured the two sites.

She said: “Initially I was reluctant to contact the council, as I thought that its involvement would inhibit the project. I’m happily disabused of that notion.

“Both employees and councillors have been unfailingly supportive – in particular, councillors Jamie Pritchard, Elaine Forehead and James Fussell.

“Simon Beacham of the Parks Service has been an invaluable help, and the tree knowledge of Rebekah Brooking, likewise. They have given their support, their time, their expertise and offers of mulch and fencing.”

Mary added that, despite the sizable challenge, people can still help solve the climate crisis in their own small way.

She said: “Anybody can collect tree seeds, or saplings that otherwise wouldn’t grow, and put them in a yoghurt pot.”