Tree & Hedge planting discussions
Difficulty surrounding land, access and regulations – scope for a programme to bring organisations together to submit planting programme.
- WMCA Environment Team have submitted a bid into the Woodland Trusts’ Emergency Tree Fund to create a West Midlands Forest Partnership. The Partnership would aim to create a regional focus to tree and hedge planting and to complete an i-tree assessment of current tree stock, similar to the assessment in the Black Country. We should know the outcome soon and would look to increase team capacity to lead on this work.
Tools libraries for the community to borrow tools to plant trees
- The WMCA Environment Team will have a conversation with the Active Wellbeing Society who have several ‘Share Shacks’ in Birmingham and North Solihull. The WMCA will look into including community reuse hub as part of our circular economy work, more information on our circular economy routemap can be found here.
Issue with tree nurseries keeping up with supply and need to set up local tree nurseries to be more self sufficient
- In the WMCA Natural Environment Plan we have committed to creating a West Midlands tree nursery and will work with partners to progress this. More information on our Natural Environment Plan can be found on our website here.
How can we work with bigger landowners, who can make a bigger difference than any small group could?
- In the WMCA Natural Environment Plan we have committed to hosting a regional landowners summit to promote collaboration and bring forward land for trees and other biodiversity projects.
Areas for the Forum to progress
• Funding available for tree planting but more support needed for street trees and for ongoing management
• Emphasis needs to be on protecting existing trees, especially with new developments and protecting against vandalism
• Need targets and incentives for natural regeneration
• Knowledge sharing and capacity building for community groups, councils and the general public on best practice for improving biodiversity, planting street trees, growing trees from seed, restoration of hedgerows and knowledge of existing habitats