eAlert: 3 November 2021 - Trees Call to Action Fund launches
Published 4 November 2021
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2021
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ealert-3-november-2021-trees-call-to-action-fund-launches/ealert-3-november-2021-trees-call-to-action-fund-launches
1. Trees Call to Action Fund launches
1.1 Defra and National Lottery Heritage Fund have launched a new £6m fund to support the England Trees Action Fund.
This opportunity will fund partnerships to increase woodland creation at a regional scale, and projects to engage people with trees, and develop skills and knowledge. Applicants are invited to apply in partnerships, showing how they can join-up delivery across organisations at regional or national scales.
Funding will be targeted at regions, activities and costs which are not already supported by other government funding for trees.
Expressions of Interest are now welcome until Tuesday 16 November 2021.
2. Trees are vital in our fight against climate change
World Leaders Summit Action on Forests & Land Use
2.1 We’re working to protect, improve and expand England’s woodlands – never has there been a better time to plant trees.
We are so pleased to see the pledge to end deforestation from world leaders at COP26. Here in the UK, we know that planting and managing trees, forests and woodlands so that they are fit for the future must also be part of our response to climate change. Trees, woodlands and forests play a key role in greenhouse gas removal, but trees can only help reduce the negative impacts of a changing climate if they are resilient to those challenges themselves. Read our climate change guidance now.
We are also working hard to help landowners plant more trees than ever with our flagship grants scheme the England Woodland Creation offer. We’ve recently updated our woodland creation pages on GOV.UK so you can easily find all the information and support you need to plant trees. There’s also a helpful leaflet that explains the financial support you could receive for planting on as little as one hectare of land.
3. Phytopthora Pluvialis update
3.1 Confirmed finding of the tree pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis, following routine Forestry Commission plant health surveillance activities.
Phytophthora pluvialis, is a fungus-like pathogen known to affect a variety of tree species. It is reported to cause needle cast (where needles turn brown and fall off), shoot dieback, and lesions on the stem, branches, and roots.
Woodland managers, landowners, the forest industry and tree nurseries are being urged to remain vigilant after the pathogen was identified in a woodland in Cornwall.
More information on symptom identification is available online.
4. Using natural colonisation for the creation of new woodland
Natural colonisation is the process by which trees colonise new ground from existing local sources. This can happen through seed which has been dispersed by birds, mammals, wind or gravity, or by vegetative colonisation where new growth sprouts from the stem or roots of adjacent trees.
A new published guide from the Forestry Commission, considers natural colonisation as an option for creating new woodland.
5. Forestry Reproductive Material (FRM) online system
5.1 This month sees the rollout of a new online FRM system that will reduce the need for physical forms.
The FRM Regulations provide a system of control for planting stock in Great Britain. This week, we launched a new FRM system that will allow users to interface directly with the database, instead of submitting forms.
The new system will allow users to:
- apply online to become an FRM supplier
- apply online to become a Basic Material Manager (BMM)
Once approved an FRM supplier or a Basic Material Manager will be able to:
- notify the Forestry Commission through their on-line FRM Supplier account of their intention to Collect seed or take cuttings
- apply to the Forestry Commission through their on-line FRM Supplier account for a Master certificate for a collection
- apply to register seed stands, seed orchards, clonal material or parents of families material
- once approved, update and amend details of their Basic Material
When logged in users will be able to view all of their seed collection notifications and also the Master certificates that they have applied for.
More information is available on GOV.UK.