Over the next few months, Thames Chase will be one of ten Community Forests across England planting trees as part of the Government’s Trees for Climate plan. They will benefit from a portion of the £12.1 million provided to help deliver the English portion of the commitment to increase tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery.

The trees, to be planted across winter 2020 and into 2021, will eventually store over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and will also help in making local landscapes more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Dave Bigden, Consultant Forest Director for Thames Chase Trust, said, “Thames Chase Trust is delighted to be part of this national initiative. The creation of new woodlands, combined with the increase in management of existing woodlands, has already made significant improvements in the recreational, amenity and biodiversity values of Thames Chase Community Forest. Trees for Climate will help the Thames Chase Trust and its partners to continue to drive this vital work forward. This scheme aligns with the aims and objectives of the Thames Chase Plan and the tree planting will complement the mosaic landscape created across the Thames Chase Community Forest since 1990.”

Thames Chase Trust will be working with partners and landowners to plant up to 8.5 hectares between December 2020 and March 2021. Planting projects are being planned in each of their five local authority areas of Brentwood, Thurrock, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Essex.

Through Trees for Climate, more communities in towns and cities will get access to nature, proven to boost health and wellbeing, and give children living in urban areas a chance to explore the natural environment.

Please visit www.thameschase.org.uk for opportunities to get involved in tree planting.

By Editor on 9th December 2020   /   News   /   Leave a comment