The Eden Project shows what committed voluntarism can achieve

The Eden project is an example of what a small group of committed volunteers can do when they have a common goal.

Giant white Arum Lily

The above Giant white Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is native to southern Africa and very eye catching, don't you think?

The Eden Project is a charity that decided to take a massive, ugly and disused clay pit in Cornwall and turn it into the world’s largest undercover rain forest habitat. The vision for such an audacious project was inspirational and practical at the same time.

The Eden Project

Britain has a temperate and very variable climate and finding somewhere to go when on holiday with the kids or grandkids can be challenging. At the Eden project you can experience first hand what it is like to wander around in a rain forest when it is also raining outside which is often the case in Britain.

The biodomes contain a vast selection of huge tropical trees so it was only natural to enter them into the #treetuesday category initiated by the @old-guy-photos.

Palm tree

As you enter the biodomes you feel the warm moist air depositing droplets of water and mist on your body. Not great for camera equipment as it tends to mist up the lens but fascinating none the less.

The number of trees, flowers and birds that make up this self-contained ecosystem is a sight to see and there were many people just sitting and taking in the ambience of the rain forest as well as artists painting their interpretation of the various plants.

The people below give an idea of the scale

As well as the biodomes the project has transformed the surrounding economy, countryside and hills with an abundance of work for the local population. The variety of trees and wildflowers are truly spectacular.

Turning an old clay pit into a lush valley

The Eden project was started in 1998 and open fully to the public just three years later in March 2001 as a part of the millennium celebrations.

Its primary purpose is to show the importance of plants to people and to promote sustainable use of plant resources. Without plants we have nothing.

The geometry of the domes reflected in the shrubbery

As the project has grown over the years it is now one of the biggest employers of local people in the county and still has many 100’s of volunteers who contribute to the smooth running of the entire site.

It is geared to the needs of everyone including very good wheelchair and pushchair access and free electric wheelchairs available for those with difficulty walking.

The Olive tree

If you even wondered what a charity can do with a few committed volunteers and a big vision then the Eden project is an exemplar of what can be achieved in a very short time indeed.

They have turned a massive ugly scar in the earth from an eyesore into a demi paradise.

More in the #treetuesday series initiated by @old-guy-photos

Flooded trees
6,000 year old Olive trees
Photographing the flatlands of East Anglia
Me carrying a huge tree
Autumn trees

Thanks for reading.

My camera gear

EOS Canon 70D
Canon 75 -300 mm and Sigma 30 mm lenses

Category	(Nature photography)
Camera	(Canon EOS 70D)
Exposure	(on request)
f Stop	(on request)
ISO	(100)
Lens	(Canon 75 - 300 mm Sigma 30 mm lenses)
Location	Eden Project, Cornwall, England