Our woodlands are a key part of our ecosystems, they provide oxygen, store carbon, stabilise soil and provide habitats for wildlife. Even though they are so important to us, our woodlands are really struggling with roughly 1 in 10 at risk of extinction and 1 in 3 seeing a wildlife species decline.
Grants are available to plant trees and create new woodlands. The Woodland Creation Planning grant can provide up to £30,000 per project (£150 per hectare). The England Woodland Creation grant offers up to £10,000 per hectare and can then help with subsequent support by a Woodland Creation and Maintenance grant. There is also the opportunity to sell carbon to the government at a guaranteed price, called Woodland Carbon Units. The Forestry Commission can assist in providing help with the application process and producing supporting information for the above.
Also available is the Queen’s Green Canopy which is a unique tree planting initiative, created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which invites people to plant a tree to mark this special occasion. This project is aiming to encourage individuals, villages, cities, counties and schools to participate in planting trees, and whilst the planting window closes in March 2022, it opens again in October 2022 and then runs to the end of the year. The tree(s) could be planted in your garden, school yard, local village playing field etc. The trees you plant could also count towards carbon credits.
If you would like further information how you can get funding for tree planting, contact one of our team members who can discuss your opportunities further.
Abigail Lewis