The Big Tree Plant

This new tree planting initiative is good news:-

The Big Tree Plant is an England-wide campaign launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to encourage people and communities to plant more trees in urban and residential areas. The 5 year campaign will encourage local community groups to plant and care for trees in their neighbourhood, particularly in areas that are currently deprived of greenery. There are ways for individuals to get involved, through volunteering at local tree planting events if they exist and if not, to set up new events.
The Big Tree Plant partnership brings together civil society partners and conservation organisations, such as The Tree Council, Woodland Trust, Trees for Cities and England’s Community Forests, working with Defra and the Forestry Commission. You can find out more about The Big tree Plant at http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/index.html

What an excellent opportunity for landscape and environmental professionals to share their expertise with their local communities and help deliver this campaign - by starting or joining a local tree planting group, help the group fill in the fund application form (10 pages of information to digest) arrange a community planting event, find locations to plant, get permission to plant, choice of species, etc etc. There seems to be a minimum grant of £500 with a maximum of £25,000 with a contribution to funding required - but voluntary professional help can count towards the contribution

No doubt the administration of the scheme is complex and daunting but any contribution towards increasing the tree stock is worth it. Also there is an emphasis on caring for the planting beyond the capital cost - which is refreshing.

Coleshill from the Roof of St Peter and St Paul Parish Church

Now let's see what Moore Environment can do for Coleshill..................