The environment secretary Michael Gove has announced a £10m fund to help encourage the planting of over a hundred thousand trees in urban areas across England.
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund will make grants available over the next two years for towns and cities wishing to plant more trees in their parks and green spaces.
Planting trees helps fight climate change, but also helps improve health and wellbeing, absorb noise and reduce flood risk.
‘Trees are vital in the fight against climate change, which is why we must go further and faster to increase planting rates,’ said Mr Gove.
‘We need trees lining the streets of our cities and towns, not only to green and shade them but to ensure that we remain connected to the wonders of the natural world and the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings us.’
The scheme, which will be administered by the Forestry Commission, will be open to individuals, local authorities, charities and NGOs.
Government tree champion Sir William Worsley said: ‘Trees are the lifeblood of our nation, and it is more important than ever to ensure they are rooted not only in our countryside, but in our towns and cities too.
‘The benefits of planting urban trees are endless, and I encourage anyone with the ability to apply for this fund to get involved and help green our towns and cities.’
