Posted on 9th Dec
An area of Newark will be getting greener thanks to a new urban tree-planting scheme involving the Woodland Trust, Reach Learning Disability, Greenwood Community Forest, and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Data shows that tree cover in Hawtonville in Newark is significantly below average for urban neighbourhoods, both in the East Midlands and nationally.
The four-group partnership will work with the local community to identify locations for new trees over the next year, with planting scheduled to take place next winter.
The head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust, Adam Cormack, said: “Trees help to make places better to live and improve peoples’ wellbeing. But there are lots of urban neighbourhoods across the UK — like Hawtonville — where trees have either never been planted or have been removed over the years.
“However, as well as understanding where trees are needed, it is really important to understand where people want them too — and that’s what this project is all about.
“Over the next year we’ll be asking Hawtonville’s community and local partners to suggest locations for new trees.
“In addition, we will be helping people care for and celebrate the trees that are already growing in Hawtonville. We’re looking forward to starting work soon.”
Helen Mitchem, partnership outreach manager at Greenwood Community Forest, said: “We are looking forward to working with local residents and the project partners to help connect everyone with new and existing trees in their area.
“This will bring new natural features to the streets, with benefits for people, nature and the planet.”
Coun Emma Oldham, portfolio holder for climate and the environment at the council, added: “We strongly believe in the importance of tree equity and we’re delighted to be part of this exciting initiative.
“We’re eager to continue our hard work planting more trees across the district, especially in areas that need them most to help improve air quality, enhance local pride and support the health and wellbeing of our community.
“Trees provide so many benefits — from offering shade in the summer to helping tackle the challenges of climate change — and we’re proud to be working alongside our partners to make this project a success.”
The Hawtonville scheme, funded by Lendlease, is part of a pilot project to test approaches to increasing tree cover in priority urban locations, combining data from the Tree Equity Score UK with community engagement and local partnerships.
Lucille Watkins-Brazier, head of social impact at Lendlease, said: “The importance of equitable access to nature and open spaces is a priority for Lendlease, and something we are passionate about. Our partnership with the Woodland Trust is founded on a shared vision to improve wellbeing in urban spaces, and we are delighted to support this in Hawtonville.”
Samantha Dakin, of Reach Learning Disability, added: “Reach Learning Disability and the Flower Pod are incredibly excited to be working on this community project with the Woodland Trust and partners.”
