Tree Wardens scheme to be relaunched in Wiltshire

Following a successful bid for almost £300,000 from a Government fund, Wiltshire Council is relaunching the national Tree Warden scheme in the county.

The Council, in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, received a £294,800 grant from the Government's Forestry Commission and DEFRA Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide local authorities with financial support to bring on board the additional professional expertise they need to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative led by the Tree Council, and Wiltshire Council is looking to recruit volunteer Tree Wardens in each Wiltshire town and parish area as well as across the Borough of Swindon. Tree Wardens will work with Wiltshire Council Woodland Officers and act as local tree champions who help plant, promote and protect trees in appropriate locations in their local area.

Projects that Tree Wardens can be involved in could include:

• Arranging local tree planting days
• Watering and caring for local trees
• Working with the local authorities and community groups to plant and care for street trees
• Rejuvenating local woodlands
• Raising funds and finding land for tree planting projects
• Going into local schools to talk about the value of trees

Cllr Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, said: We're delighted to have been successful in receiving this funding, which we can use to help us achieve our ambitious tree planting targets, whilst also promoting the enhancement of existing trees and woodlands - all key themes in our Natural Environment Plan.

We need to take action to ensure our future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty that Wiltshire landscapes have to offer. Tree Wardens are local people who are keen to plant, look after and stand up for the trees in their local area. The role is voluntary, so anyone who is interested can decide how much time they dedicate to it and how it fits in with their normal routine. You do not need to be an expert to take up this role, as we will provide knowledge and training, all you require is a genuine interest in trees and the local environment.

I would encourage anyone interested in taking up this role in their local area, to have a look at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trees-and-woodland-in-wiltshire or contact either their local Parish Council or the Woodland Grant Application and Planting Support (GAPS) team on GAPS@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) for more information.

Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: As a council we are absolutely committed to increasing the number of trees in the Borough and our Trees for Climate project has already seen us plant around 51,500 trees in the first three years. However, we have ambitions to double this over the next two years helping us to deliver our priorities to our communities, local businesses and the economy.

We are currently planning for year four of the project and this funding will be invaluable in helping us to recruit Tree Wardens to help us continue the great work that has taken place across a range of planting projects and woodland management within the Great Western Community Forest area.

The funding for Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council will also be used to help deliver tree planting targets over the next two years that will see planting of 111ha of trees in the 2023-24 and a further 222ha in 2024-25. It is anticipated that the majority of these will be delivered through community and private landowner initiatives, working with partners such as the Woodland Trust, and Forestry Commission to develop bids for funding. For more information or to express and interest people should contact Wiltshire Council via the GAPS Team at GAPS@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) or communityforest@swindon.gov.uk (opens new window) for Swindon Borough Council.

More information about the Government fund can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-fund-opens-to-accelerate-tree-planting (opens new window).

More information about the Wiltshire tree warden scheme can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trees-and-woodland-in-wiltshire.