Correspondence

eAlert: 30 March 2023

Published 19 April 2023

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Today read about

We are asking for your ideas for tree planting on public land and sharing a case study to help Local Authorities respond to the biodiversity emergency. The Tree Production Capital Grant is re-opening soon, and we are encouraging applications for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee. You can check out some of our recent content on why woods mean business and register to join our webinars.

2. Call for Ideas: for large-scale woodland planting on public and third sector owned land

2.1 Do you have a great idea?

In a new ‘Call for Ideas’, Defra and the Forestry Commission are inviting the owners of suitable land to come forward with proposals that will result in a total of at least 100ha of new woodland planted on their land by 31 March 2025.

Defra and the Forestry Commission are keen to hear innovative ideas that the Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) programme is yet to discover (and therefore fund), that would align with NCF objectives and enable tree planting on suitable land.
Suitable land for the ‘Call for Ideas’ is defined as land that is owned by either national or local government, or land owned by a third sector organisation (such as a recognised charity, social enterprise, or other not-for-profit organisation). Privately owned land or land in corporate ownership is not eligible.

All eligible proposals will be assessed by a panel using criteria designed to test the likelihood of planting delivery within this tight deadline. To avoid duplication, proposals that could be funded by existing NCF grants and incentives will not be considered. More information about existing grants and incentives can be found on our GOV.UK guide: Tree planting and woodland creation: overview.

We are hopeful that this call will bring forward a small number of exciting and innovative proposals enabling planting at scale. If suitable new ideas are forthcoming, and approved, we will then develop a business case and identify the appropriate route to market with DEFRA group Commercial.

DEFRA and the Forestry Commission reserves the right not to take forward any proposals for further consideration if no suitable ideas are forthcoming.

For further details about eligibility and how to apply, visit our GOV.UK guide: Call for Ideas: for large-scale woodland planting on public and third sector owned land, or email callforideas@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

The deadline to submit proposals is 23.55 on Friday 5 May.

2.2 Join our webinar

Wednesday 19 April 10:00 - 11:00am

Book your place on Eventbrite.

3. Helping local authorities respond to the biodiversity emergency

3.1 How trees can support your nature recovery plans.

Local authorities are perfectly placed to lead by example, working with local communities, landowners and other partners to provide inspiring examples to others through the development of local plans and strategies.

Read our case study: Helping local authorities respond to the biodiversity emergency to find out more.

4. How we’re supporting tree and seed suppliers to boost domestic tree production

4.1 Tree Production Capital Grant to re-open.

The Tree Production Capital Grant (TPCG) provides funding to increase the domestic production of tree seed and saplings, supporting investments in expansion, automation and mechanisation of facilities and equipment. This will help improve not only the quantity but also the quality, diversity, and biosecurity of tree seed and sapling supply.

Following a successful launch in 2022 when 43 projects were awarded funding, the TPCG will open for Round Two of applications in early Spring this year.
The TPCG is designed to help seed and sapling suppliers of all sizes, from established nurseries to smaller nurseries and new entrants looking to diversify into the sector. Any public, private, or third sector organisation who will use the funding to support production of tree seed or saplings for use in England is encouraged to apply.

New to the 2023 offer, the minimum value for proposals has reduced from £20,000 to £10,000, corresponding to a minimum grant value of £5,000.
Examples of eligible projects and equipment covered by the TPCG include: intelligent transplanting systems; polytunnel infrastructure and equipment; irrigation systems and infrastructure; seed trays; grading machines; biosecurity investments such as water treatment and refrigeration equipment.

The TPCG will provide 50% of the funding for projects up to a total cost of £350k, i.e. £175k is the maximum funding cap; projects larger than £350k will receive no more than £175k. This will assist with modernising the nursery and seed sectors by encouraging mechanisation and automation. Applicants will be required to provide the remaining 50% of funding themselves.

For more information, read the Forestry Commission’s latest blog to find out more about some of the projects awarded funding in 2022 or email tpcg@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Read our blog: How we’re supporting tree and seed suppliers to boost domestic tree production.

5. Woodland Carbon Guarantee

5.1 Don’t miss the deadline to apply.

The next Woodland Carbon Guarantee auction will take place from midday on Monday 15 May to midday on Sunday 21 May 2023.

The application deadline to take part in the auction is 23:59 on Sunday 30 April 2023.

To apply, or for more information, visit GOV.UK: Woodland Carbon Guarantee.

You can read about successful applicants from previous auctions and why they applied in our new case study: Reasons behind applying on a 3 and 6 hectare site.

6. Squirrel management and forestry operations

Did you join our Squirrel management and forestry operations webinar and want to watch again – or didn’t make the webinar and would like to get advice on how to plan and carry out forest operations in woodlands to minimise the possible impacts on red squirrels?
 
We would also like to highlight a few useful links that were mentioned in the Webinar:

• Red squirrels and forestry operations in England - operations note 65
• UK Squirrel Accord
• Woodland Wildlife Toolkit (sylva.org.uk)

Watch our webinar recording.

7. Woods Mean Business

Wood Culture Infographic

How can woodlands can benefit your land and business while supporting the economy, society, and the wider environment, find out in our new infographic.

7.1 Woods mean business video

Watch our short Woods Mean Business video to find out more about generating income from timber and wood products.

8. Join our webinars

Tree Production Innovation Fund Webinar

31 March 2023
2:00 - 3:00pm

Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Fund Webinar

3 April 2023
2:00 - 3:00pm

9. Find out about our Trees on Farms podcast

Have you listened to our podcast mini series?

Jon Burgess, a Local Partnership Advisor and Woodland Resilience Officer in the South West, provides a quick round up of the ‘Trees on Farms’ mini-series created with Ben Eagle, and reflects on being a co-host on the Forestry Commission’s first foray into podcasting.

• Making Money from Trees - Highlights the diverse opportunities for making money from trees on farms.
• Agroforestry and Trees in Regenerative Farming Systems - How agroforestry (integrating trees into agricultural systems) can benefit an entire farm business.
• Woodlands and Wildlife - Hear how to boost biodiversity on farms and in farm woodland, continuous cover forestry and how farmers can make the most of trees on their land.  

Meet the Farmers, ‘Trees on farms’ mini-series is available to download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most other podcast channels.

Read our blog: Discover our ‘Trees on Farms’ podcast mini-series.