William Eichler 21 July 2021

Councils in north east band together to plant 500 hectares of trees

Councils in north east band together to plant 500 hectares of trees  image

Six local authorities in the north east have joined forces with environmental organisations to plant a new forest.

The initiative aims to plant up to 500 hectares?of trees across Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham by 2025.

Carried out in partnership with Defra and England Community Forests, the long-term goal is?to?increase canopy cover?across the?north east?to 30% by 2050 – almost double the current national average.

Forestry minister Lord Goldsmith commented: ‘I am delighted to welcome the North East Community Forest to the expanding network of Community Forests across England. Supported by our £640m Nature for Climate Fund, we will plant many thousands of trees and help rewild areas that are most in need.’

Around 35 football pitches worth of trees will be planted in the first year thanks to £480,000 in funding from Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund.

Cllr Clare Penny-Evans, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for climate change and public safety, said that trees and woodlands are of ‘incredible importance to the people of the north east.

‘They help us create liveable and sustainable communities, contributing to our efforts to tackle climate change, supporting economic and social regeneration, and – particularly in a year when we’ve all spent more time at home – providing welcome opportunities for relaxation and leisure,’ she said.

‘Independently, the region’s councils have been working towards their own planting targets, with some great successes, but in coming together and becoming the North East Community Forest, we can supercharge those ambitions for the benefit of all.’

Cllr Penny-Evans continued: ‘If trees are planted in the right place, we know that we can reduce the risk of flooding, create new habitat for wildlife, improve air quality, provide positive impacts on human health and wellbeing, boost the economy, provide new jobs, provide timber for sustainable building and energy production and store thousands of tonnes of carbon.

‘And not only will this protect and enhance our existing tree stock, green our streets and create woodland in our cities, towns and villages, it will give some of our more deprived neighbourhoods access to nature and improve community wellbeing in many ways.’

Mapping successful 15-minute cities image

Mapping successful 15-minute cities

Is GIS the difference between success and failure for 15-minute neighbourhoods? Alex Zirpolo, principal GIS consultant at Lanpro, argues it is.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

Coventry City Council
£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recuriter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

Derbyshire County Council
£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
£29,093 - £32,654 p.a. i.e. Grade 7
We are looking to appoint a Support Worker to work within the Direct Payments Team to provide advice and support to people accessing Direct Payments.  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Specialist Support Interpreter

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English & Maths Functional Skills and ESOL.   An opportunity has arisen fo Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 (Pre-Progression)/ Grade 11 £39,513 - £43,693 (Post-Progression)
Are you an experienced social worker keen to ensure that children and young people, who, unable to live with their parents are brought up by members o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner