Cornwall Council to receive cash for tree planting scheme

As part of the Woodland Trust charity’s Emergency Tree Fund, Cornwall Council are set to receive £293,965 which aims to make up for a current lack of investment to help cash strapped local authorities break through barriers to get more trees and woods in the ground.

The Woodland Trust's Emergency Tree Fund's objectives include giving more local communities green spaces on their doorsteps which have shown to be so important for people during the current pandemic.

In 2019, Cornwall Council declared a Climate Emergency and set out its ambition to become Carbon Neutral by 2030.

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In 2019, Cornwall Council declared a Climate Emergency and set out its ambition to become Carbon Neutral by 2030. Picture:Pexels

As part of this plan, the Council has already launched its Forest for Cornwall and the new fund will further help with its aim to create 8,000 hectares of woodland over the coming years.

Edwina Hannaford, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: "We are particularly excited to receive this funding as it will enable us to work with more communities across Cornwall.

"We have seen a real desire within our communities to respond to the Climate Emergency and to plant trees and we are working with a number already.

"This funding will allow us to do more and help everyone who wants to get involved and plant their bit of the Forest for Cornwall."

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John Tucker, the Woodland Trust’s Director of Woodland Outreach, said: "This funding to councils has the power to inspire a new generation in tree planting and galvanise the need to treasure trees in our neighbourhoods.

"What the country’s fight against COVID-19 has shown is how communities have come together in a time of crisis.

"As the pandemic hopefully abates, getting outside and planting trees will be a way for this spirit to be harnessed once again in a different but a very important way - to tackle climate change."

It's also been advised that communities, private landowners or farmers in Cornwall that have plans or ideas about planting trees can find out more on the Forest For Cornwall webpage or contact the team on the Council's website.

Devon County Council will also receive £297,349 and is working towards its own net zero carbon emissions target.