More trees for the Black Country
Investment granted to create more green spaces
Last updated 11th Mar 2021
Councils across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley are getting a share of a ÂŁ2.9 million "emergency tree fund'' to help plant trees and create green spaces in their communities.
The funding from the Woodland Trust forms part of its ambition to establish 50 million more trees by 2025 to help tackle the climate and nature crisis, creating new woods and working with government, businesses, landowners and the public to achieve the goal.
The nature charity said it is providing funding to local councils at a time when finances are tight to help create more green spaces and woodland which people have found valuable in the pandemic.
It hopes to expand the scheme further in 2022.
John Tucker said: "The trust's Emergency Tree Fund has the power to inspire tree-planting and woodland creation and galvanise the need to treasure trees and green spaces in their neighbourhoods across the UK.
"What the country's fight against Covid has shown is how communities have come together in a time of crisis.
"As the pandemic hopefully abates, getting outside and planting, maintaining and enjoying trees will be a way for this spirit to be harnessed once again in a different but a very important way - to tackle the climate and nature crises which also affects us all.''
Wolverhampton Council will receive ÂŁ129,500 and is planning to use that to plant pockets of woodland on a range of open spaces in the city.
The Black Country Consortium, will use the funding to develop an “i tree plan” looking at where trees are needed for example to combat flooding near schools, boost air quality and create more green spaces. It will also see a comprehensive assessment of the area’s tree stock.
Sarah Middleton, Chief Executive Black Country Consortium said:
“The Black Country is working with partners to support and implement green strategies from leading the way nationally in industrial clean energy for small and medium sized businesses to developing our plans around tree planting thanks to this funding from the Woodland Trust. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure trees are at the heart of all our Green Strategies as we all work to deliver on our carbon zero targets.”
In total, £2.9 million will going to councils across the country. It is a key part of the charity’s recently announced ambitious aim to plant 50 million trees by 2025."