Up to 500 hectares of trees planted in 4 years
A new community forest is to be created in North-East England to help combat climate change, with 500 hectares of trees planted in four years.
The North East Community Forest will increase canopy cover to 30 per cent by 2050 – almost double the national average. Supported by Defra’s Woodland Creation Partnership via the Nature for Climate Fund, the partnership will work with the community, businesses and landowners. Taking part are local authorities from Gateshead, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham.
In the first year, up to 25 hectares or around 35 football pitches will be planted. This is thanks to £480,000 in funding from Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund.
Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “I welcome the North East Community Forest to the expanding network of Community Forests. Supported by our £640 million Nature for Climate Fund, we will plant many thousands of trees and help rewild areas that are most in need.
‘Expanding the network of forests’
“Our economies, livelihoods and well-being all rely on nature. Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss are at the heart of this project. Spending time in nature – particularly around trees – boosts our physical and mental health and wellbeing. This project will be accessible to communities in Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham.”
Coun Clare Penny-Evans, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for climate change and public safety, said: “We know that trees and woodlands are of incredible importance to the people of the North East.
“Independently, the region’s councils have been working towards their own planting targets, with some great successes. In coming together and becoming the North East Community Forest, we can supercharge those ambitions.
“By planting trees in the right place, we know that we can reduce the risk of flooding. They can create new habitats 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.
New community forest and its benefits
“This will protect and enhance our existing tree stock, green streets and create woodland in our cities, towns and villages. It will give deprived neighbourhoods access to nature and improve community wellbeing.”
England’s Community Forests chairman, Paul Nolan, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for the people of the North East. Their new Community Forest sets out to create greener, more tree-filled and accessible spaces. It will encourage biodiversity to thrive, support economic growth and help the region tackle climate change.”
Anyone interested can find out more at www.newcastle.gov.uk/northeastcommunityforest or email [email protected]. Read more about a landmark legal ruling concerning Japanese knotweed.
