100,00 trees to be planted in Suffolk
£228,000 is being spent on improving the county's natural environment
Suffolk County Council has announced £228,000 for tree-planting, protecting hedgerows and verges across the county.
The money, from the Suffolk 2020 Fund, will help the council protect biodiversity in Suffolk.
It's hoped around 100,000 tress will be planted over the next 18 months as well at 10 community tree nurseries being established.
It's hoped the nurseries will support more planting in the future.
Councillor Richard Rout, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Protection at Suffolk County Council, said:
“This funding will boost the council’s existing work to protect Suffolk’s environment and wildlife. Increased tree planting will allow us to offset carbon emissions, though we are continuing to work to eliminate the council’s emissions where possible, as part of our commitment to our climate emergency declaration.
“But this is much more than just planting trees and walking away. We are setting up the support needed to allow trees, hedgerows and verges to thrive for years to come, including in urban areas. We are committed to a ‘right tree, right place’ policy and to working with others. This will be achieved through a new Suffolk Tree Partnership, involving many others across Suffolk, to support local communities and landowners to help them manage and increase tree cover.
“We will also work with others to develop a ‘healing wood’ initiative as a way of recognising the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our communities. This will see the creation of woodlands where people can quietly reflect and enjoy nature.
“I’m excited that this funding from the Suffolk 2020 Fund will complement the motion I proposed to the council in July, which recognised the huge value of trees to Suffolk.”