World Vision Recalls Ethiopian Famine Thirty Years On at BBC Gardener's World Live

BIRMINGHAM, U.K. - June 10, 2014 - PRLog -- Inspired by the 30th anniversary of the devastating Ethiopian famine, the World Vision garden celebrates the transformation there - especially in the famine-hit Antsokia Valley, once a barren dustbowl, and now a thriving oasis that exports food.

The second in a trilogy of evolving gardens, an aid crate that first landed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has now fallen open at BBC Gardener's World Live, showcasing a forest of tall, mature tree trunks.

As visitors approach the garden, mirrors on the floor and ceiling will ensure they see a seemingly infinite wood.

The crate is surrounded by 3m timber poles to reinforce the impression of a dense forest and 1,000 potted saplings are dotted around the garden.

These represent the 10 million trees planted by World Vision in the Antsokia Valley over the past three decades, and serve as a reminder that sustainable horticulture benefits generations to come.

Following the first vital food aid and medicine in the 1980s, World Vision provided trees to help encourage agro-forestry.

These trees restored fertility to the soil for surrounding crops and now help prevent soil erosion, provide fuel and feed for livestock as well as increase the absorption of standing water and reduce the breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

They also supply nuts and berries offering a wider diet and less reliance on grain crops or animals.

At the end of the show, the 1,000 tree saplings will be given to visitors to encourage more trees to be planted in the UK.

The BBC GWL show garden is one of three World Vision gardens designed for the flower show season. A stand-alone installation began the narrative at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the final show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show continues the story.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

World Vision is an international children's charity that works to improve the lives of the world’s poorest children by working closely with communities to tackle the root causes of poverty. Through funds from Child Sponsorship it helps families have better access to water, education and healthcare. World Vision, a Christian charity, has a continued presence in almost 100 countries, which means when disasters strike it is able to respond immediately and effectively to protect children who are particularly vulnerable in emergencies. For more, visit worldvision.org.uk

John Warland is an award-winning conceptual designer. It is the first time he has exhibited at BBC Gardeners World Live. For more, see senselessactsofbeauty.com

We are grateful to the Key Landscapes for helping to build the garden, and would like to thank Majestic Trees (majestictrees.co.uk) and Rolawn (rolawn.co.uk) for plants and turf.