Severn Treescapes will create a 60 mile corridor of enhanced tree cover to connect two of England’s largest semi-natural woodlands - crossing Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The corridor will stretch from the Lower Wye Valley and Forest of Dean in the south, to the Wyre Forest in the north. 

This project will build on remaining pockets of ancient woodland to create a climate resilient landscape, all within 30 miles of the homes of around 8 million people.

The funding will enable Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to work together to provide a team of on the ground advisors, as well as a series of informative events, best practice visits, community engagement opportunities, grants advice and applications assistance.

The advisors will be on hand to support land managers, farmers and communities to access funding to plant and/or grow and manage woodlands and trees across this landscape. Advice on managing and improving existing woodland and hedgerows will also be available.

The Trees Call to Action Fund supports projects that protect trees and woodlands, boost forestry skills and jobs, develop woodland creation partnerships, and engage communities with nature. The fund will distribute grants between £250,000 - £500,000 to be spent over three years, funding 12 projects across England.

Dr Juliet Hynes, GWT’s Ecological Evidence Manager, said:

“The Severn Treescapes project will demonstrate that increasing woodland connectivity at a regional scale, whether through woodlands, hedgerows, orchards, agroforestry and other tree systems, can work alongside productive agricultural systems. Not only maintaining productivity, but benefiting biodiversity and tackling the impacts of climate change. This project will sow the seeds of improvements for future generations to enjoy”.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's Andrew Nixon says:

"We are thrilled by the news we have been successful. This funding will give us a great opportunity to increase our work with landowners and tackle the dual challenge of the climate and nature crisis.  We would love to hear from landowners in the east of the County interested in tree planting on their land."

The other projects funded through this year’s Trees Call to Action Fund include six new Woodland Creation Partnerships across rural and urban areas; two projects to develop the skills and workforce of the trees and forestry sector; and three projects that engage people, by planting an NHS forest, engaging farmers to improve woodland condition, and restoring England’s hedgerows. All projects funded will support progress towards achieving the key objectives of the England Trees Action Plan – the Government’s long-term plans for England’s trees, woodlands and forests.

Anyone interested in planting trees on their land, or community land, in east Herefordshire should contact Andrew Nixon at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust: a.nixon@herefordshirewt.co.uk 

ENDS

Notes to editors

•           The Trees Call to Action Fund is part of the Government’s wider Nature for Climate Fund, announced as part of the 2020 Budget. Grants are available from £250,000 to £500,000 to be spent over three years and will cover capital and revenue costs.

•           The England Trees Action Plan committed to treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament, supported by an intended £500m from the Nature for Climate Fund. 

•           In the recently launched Net Zero Strategy (Oct 2021), the Government announced that it will boost the Nature for Climate Fund with a further £124 million of new money, ensuring total spend of more than £750 million by 2025 on peat restoration, woodland creation and management – above and beyond what was promised in the manifesto.

•           The Trees Call to Action Fund is being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk 

Media contact: Tessa Hirst, Communications Manager Tessa.hirst@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk 01452 383 333 or 07485 307 231