eAlert: 5 December 2022
Published 6 December 2022
Applies to England
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Welcome to our round up of the things that happened in National Tree Week, make sure you catch up on our eAlert at the start of the week from Tuesday 29 November.
It has been amazing to share with you lots of successful applicants from many of our grants, and launch application rounds for future applicants.
Read on to see some of the great things that have been going on around the sector during National Tree Week. Also, subscribe to our blog to stay up to date on all the important issues on trees and forestry!
1. Local Authority Trees and Woodland Strategy toolkit
Step-by-step guidance for local authorities to develop an effective trees and woodland strategy.
A new Trees and Woodland Strategy (TAWS) toolkit has been published in National Tree Week to equip Local Authorities to create or update their own Trees and Woodland Strategies (TAWS) and harness the long term benefits that trees can bring to local communities. It provides practical guidance and insightful case studies from Local Authorities around the country.
More information is available on GOV.UK page: Local tree and woodland strategy toolkit.
2. The value of trees…
Trees planted outside woodland are worth over £3.8 billion.
In groundbreaking research published during National Tree Week puts the economic value of trees planted outside of woodlands at £3.8 billion.
In 2021/22, over half a million trees were planted outside of woodlands thanks to Government grants, such as the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, boosting deprived urban areas; the Local Authority Treescapes Fund accelerating tree planting in local communities; and the Levelling Up Parks Fund which helps people across England to benefit from spending time in nature.
You can read more in the press release and download ‘Valuing Non-Woodland Trees’ for free from the Forest Research website.
3. Tree Production Innovation Fund – 2022 successful applicants
Read our blog.
Megan Shirley is the Forestry Commission’s Forest Nurseries & Innovation Grants, Incentives Manager. Here she talks about the successful applicants from the 2022 Tree Production Innovation Funds.
4. The extent of last winter’s storm damage is shared
2021’s winter storms damaged 3,300 hectares in England.
As the extent of the damage from last year’s winter storms on trees across Great Britain is revealed for the first time, woodland owners are encouraged to plant and manage more diverse and resilient forests of varying ages and species in the face of climate change.
Forestry Commission Chair calls for change in approach to tree planting as last year’s winter storm damage revealed. Sir William Worsley said:
“The figures released today highlight the challenges we are facing with a changing climate and more frequent and extreme storm events. The woodlands of the future need to be planted and managed differently if they are to not only survive but thrive in the future”.
Read more in our press release.
5. Find out how the Sylva Foundation are supporting landowners using PIES (Protect Improve Expand Sustain)
Apply now for funded advice.
You may be eligible to receive three days of fully-funded advice from an expert, providing you with vital information to support you in taking the next steps in managing existing woodland and/or creating new wooded areas on your property. The offer is provided by a consortium of partners under the Defra-funded PIES project.
Find out more about the PIES Offer and how to apply.
The PIES project is funded through the Trees Call to Action Fund.
6. The National Forest teams up with Aardman to help reach 10 million trees
Watch the animation.
To celebrate National Tree Week, the National Forest announced that they are partnering with Aardman’s Shaun The Sheep, to highlight the benefits tree planting, continuing to create a greener, healthier, more sustainable future. Watch Shaun dedicate a tree to see how it’s done! Go to the National Forest website for more information.
7. Additional funding for the Queens Green Canopy has been announced
Read the press release.
New funding to plant trees in communities across the country in honour of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been announced by Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison on 2 December 2022. Read more in the press release.
8. Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey shares her vision
Read her speech delivered at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Business Conference.
Last week, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey delivered a speech to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Business Conference at which she shared her vision for the potential of the rural economy. In her speech the Secretary of State announced government plans to move ahead with the transition into three Environmental Land Management Schemes. We’ll share more detail about what this means to you, and what will be paid for under the new schemes going forward, in the New Year.
You can read a transcript of the speech.
9. There have also been lots of things happening outside of National Tree Week!
10. England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO): Historic Environment support for EWCO application processing - three-month pilot running until 16 January 2023
Now the EWCO historic environment processing pilot is into its second month, the Forestry Commission would welcome feedback on how it is working.
As a reminder, the trial is for Forestry Commission Historic Environment Advisers to provide advice and information when a local historic environment service does not respond to an applicant or Forestry Commission notifications for a EWCO proposal within 28 days. Response times for applicants wishing to pursue a EWCO application should improve through the pilot.
Two key points of the pilot include:
- if an applicant does not receive a response from a local historic environment service within 28 days, they can submit their EWCO application. Evidence to show the local historic environment service has been contacted will be required
- a new template letter for use by applicants has been drafted. It is available to download from the EWCO application form webpage
Feedback on the pilot can be sent to EWCO@forestrycommission.gov.uk.
11. Woods for Nature webinar recording
Watch the webinar recording.
In this Woods for Nature webinar, hear from Simon Needle, Principal Arboriculturist/Ecologist at Birmingham City Council, about how the Council is increasing tree planting and canopy cover across the city. If you are working for a local authority that wants to plant more trees to support nature and enhance people’s quality of life, this webinar will offer useful advice and examples.
12. Leaf Guest blog – Woods for Nature
Read our blog post.
Eleanor Marks from Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) highlights how farmers are benefiting from incorporating trees into their farms.
13. Problems signing Agent Authority Forms
We are working to find a solution.
We are currently experiencing a technical issue which means we unable to process outstanding and incoming customer requests to sign our Agent Authority Form electronically. If you urgently need to sign the form please follow the guidance on the Agent Authority Form page.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and are working to resolve this as soon as possible.
14. Woods for Nature - Broughton Hall case study webinar
Book your place now!
Woodlands offer a unique and diverse habitat that thousands of species call home. Trees not only support wildlife – they help sustain healthy ecosystems, maintain climate regulation and protect soils - playing a key role in aiding nature’s recovery.
If you are a landowner interested in woodland creation, join Professor Alastair Driver to hear more about Broughton Hall’s project and how it is progressing.
Date: Wednesday 11 January 2023
Time: 10:00 – 11:00am
15. Applications for Defra’s New Entrants Support Scheme pilot now open
Read about the support scheme.
Earlier this year, Defra announced their plan for a support scheme for newcomers to the farming industry. It was also shared how landowners, estate managers, a range or organisations and recent new entrants were helping to shape the approach.
If you’re a new entrant to farming, you’re now invited to apply for the pilot of the New Entrant Support Scheme. You can find out if you are eligible and how to apply by reading this blog post: New Entrant Support Scheme: apply for the pilot. The pilot will provide tactical support to young businesses through the early stages of development, nurturing entrepreneurs to further develop a business idea, and encourage innovation and growth. It’s intended to see how best to increase the chances of new and recent entrants accessing the land and finance they need to develop their new businesses. Each pilot location has its own deadline so please check these early.
The pilot will run until spring 2023 and is available for:
- individuals with some farming experience, but not their own land-based farming businesses
- individuals with 4-10 years’ experience running and land-based farming business