The sixth and final round of funding for a national campaign that aims to plant one million trees by 2015 has opened and organisations have until 30 August 2013 to apply.
The Big Tree Plant encourages people and communities to plant more trees in England’s towns, cities and neighbourhoods. So far, the campaign has committed to plant almost 965,000 trees with around 475,000 already planted. An extra 35,000 are needed from this final round in order to hit the one million target.
The trees should be planted in places such as parks, streets or community spaces where local people will benefit from them. Around 70 per cent of the trees in the programme are being planted in England’s most deprived areas.
Funding is available to any community and voluntary group, or other non-profit organisations that are keen to establish a community-led tree planting projects. Groups working in deprived areas where trees would help to improve residents’ quality of life are strongly encouraged to apply.
Launched in 2010 by the Government, the £4 million campaign is being delivered through the Forestry Commission and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with support from a number of partners including the Tree Council, Trees for Cities and the Community Forests.
Applications should come from a group or organisation that represents the interests of the local community. The tree planting needs to be completed by end of February 2015.
Around £4 per tree is awarded through the scheme and applicants will need to identify at least 25% of the total cost of their project from other sources. This ‘match’ funding can be in cash or in kind.
Help
Help is at hand for anyone who would like to talk through their project and there is plenty advice available for anyone considering applying via the advice phone line 0800 856 7984.
More information is also available on the Forestry Commission website