A new project by Trees for Cities and Start with Local is one of the first environmental projects awarded a grant from the government’s £80m Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
Defra announced grants between £62,000 and £3.8m last week to help create and retain thousands of green jobs. The projects, spread across England, will see trees planted – 800,000 in total – and protected landscapes and damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests restored, alongside wider conservation work. The projects will also support environmental education and connecting people with green spaces.
Trees for Streets is the new National Street Tree Sponsorship scheme that aims to help local councils fund a step change in street tree planting. This online platform will make it much easier for residents to make a contribution to the planting of street trees. The scheme will launch to the public from Easter 2021.
David Elliott, chief executive of Trees for Cities, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this grant from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The Trees for Streets programme has the potential to be a game-changer for street trees – to significantly increase the funding for and engagement around our trees at a national level. This grant will allow us to roll out the platform to all corners of the country and to create a new legacy of trees on our streets.”
The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of Prime Minister’s 10-Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. The fund is being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
