The Forestry Commission has re-opened two major grant schemes for tree planting in nonwoodland areas: the Local Authority Treescapes Fund and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund. Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has encouraged East Riding Council to apply for these streams of funding, which are integral to the Government’s Nature for Climate programme.
Last year, the COP26 climate summit saw global leadership from the UK with a landmark promise to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. Starting at home, right here in the UK, that means planting new trees to halt and reverse the decline of forestry, urban green space, and wildlife habitats caused by pests, diseases, environmental degradation, and ageing tree populations.
The Local Authority Treescapes Fund and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund will play a pivotal role in facilitating the restoration of landscapes and levelling up access to nature across England. From the Nature for Climate budget, £5.8 million will be available for the second year of Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and £3.8 million will be available for the fourth year of Urban Tree Challenge Fund.
The Forestry Commission will be promoting these schemes to Local Authorities of all tiers in England to encourage them to embrace these opportunities on behalf of local residents.
Commenting on the funds’ announcement, MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, said:
“In this country, an astonishing 12% of children, often in our most deprived urban communities in England, spend next to no time amongst our beautiful natural environment.
“Replacing lost trees and bringing more urban greenery to local communities are essential to maintaining the extraordinary societal value and impact provided by trees outside of woodlands, helping to reduce air pollution, mitigating flood risks, and protecting people’s physical and mental health.
“The public has expressed a deep commitment to fighting climate change and are extremely protective of our precious natural landscapes. We must do our utmost to support them by planting trees now through these two funds.”
