‘Walking’ forest of 1,000 trees transforms Dutch city

Spectacle of leafy ash, oak and elm ambling through Leeuwarden's streets offers vision of a greener future

It is less of a marathon and more of an amble. But then a walking forest" of 1,000 trees was never going to move at speed. Since May, volunteers have been transporting the native trees planted in wooden containers along a 3.5km stretch through the centre of the northern Dutch city of Leeuwarden, giving people an opportunity to experience an alternative, greener future.

We are a generation that has almost lost all hope," says Johan Lakke, a student at the University of Groningen who is helping with the project, which is called Bosk, meaning forest" in the local Frisian language. This project gives me hope," he says. It shows us that if you're crazy enough to think outside the box, you can achieve things."