Following the launch of the England Woodlands Creation Offer in June. DEFRA aim to have planted 7,800 acres (3,150 ha) of woodlands, alongside rivers and watercourses within the six target areas of England, as part of their Woodlands for Water project by 2025.
The aims of this are to improve water quality by blocking the run-off of pollutants into watercourses and preventing erosion, managing flood risk by slowing the flow of water, enhancing biodiversity by creating new habitat corridors, improving the resilience of rivers against climate change by providing shade and cooling water temperatures as temperature rises and adding to networks of habitats.
The six target areas are as follows:
- Tamar and Fowey in Cornwall
- Taw and Torridge in Devon & Somerset
- Wye in Gloucestershire & Herefordshire
- Teme in Shropshire & Worcestershire
- Bure, Glaven, Stiffkey, Wensum, Heacham, Lark, Gaywood and Wissey in Norfolk
- Eden and Derwent in Cumbria
As part of this Woodland for Water project they aim to provide financial support and guidance for planting new woodlands, piloting new approaches to deliver woodlands creation within targeted catchments and work with water companies to meet and exceed their expectations of planting 11 million trees by 2030.
Other funding is available under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme as follows:
- Woodland Creation & Maintenance Grant
- Woodland Management Plan
- Woodland Health Grant
The Woodland Creation & Maintenance Grant aims to create new woodland and provide a maintenance grant (if eligible). This is a competitive grant with the highest points awarded to the largest areas, greatest impact on biodiversity, water quality, and flood and climate control. Potentially up to £6,800 available per hectare.
The Queen’s Green Canopy grant also launches next year, to mark the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by encouraging tree planting. This can be used in conjunction with other grant funding.
If you would like to discuss woodlands grants currently available, please do not hesitate to contact one of our experienced members of staff.
Abigail Lewis