Severn Treescapes is a Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts’ partnership project working across the three counties.
While we might think of the Lower Wye to Wyre landscape being well wooded, after all it does contain two of the country’s larger forests, the wider landscape has seen a continued reduction in tree coverage.
Reasons for this include the removal of some traditional orchards and hedgerows, both of which are important habitats, and the loss of many trees both in fields and hedgerows due to Dutch elm disease. These problems are exacerbated by ash dieback and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
In the midst of the ecological and climate emergencies, 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.
This work will not only be maintaining productivity but also benefitting biodiversity, tackling the impacts of climate change, and sowing the seeds of improvements for future generations to enjoy.
Our ambition
To 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.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have partnered up 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.
Meet the Team
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust have partnered up 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, grow and manage woodlands and trees across these landscapes. Advice on managing and improving existing woodlands and hedgerows will also be available.
Charlotte Bell, Herefordshire Advisor: c.bell@herefordshirewt.co.uk
Our Community Engagement Coordinator will be working with schools and community groups in the project area to get them involved in the Ourboretum initiative seed to sapling scheme. This was begun by BBC Radio Gloucestershire and will see us work with communities to collect and grow local native tree seed for local planting sites.
Megan Finn, Severn Treescapes Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator: megan.finn@gloucestershirewidlifetrust.co.uk
Severn Treescapes Wye to Wyre: connecting nature and people is a partnership project being led by Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts and funded by the Trees Call To Action fund. The fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by the Heritage Fund.
Match funding has been provided by Gloucestershire County Council, Herefordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council and Severn Trent.
Additional support provided by the Environment Agency and Ourboretum.
