Proposal for the Establishment of The Local Treescape Project
From small acorns, mighty oaks grow
Background
Our local landscape faces increasing pressures from the extensive loss of semi-natural and agricultural habitats and consequently a loss of individual trees. Tree disease, general habitat and loss and degradation seems as big a pressure as ever in and around towns and villages, despite awareness of a nature emergency. The problem is evident in areas that are primarily non-woodland, where trees once played crucial roles by enhancing the visual and cultural character of the landscape, if not maintaining a certain ecological balance. The Local Treescape Project is a completely new locally based initiative that seeks to address these issues by revitalising tree planting efforts in those primarily non-woodland areas.
Initially it could be focused in and around Conservation Areas and Villages, former designed landscapes and policies and immediately surrounding areas in the Dunbar and East Linton ward.
It draws inspiration from the UK government’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and UKRI’s UKtreescapes programme. These targeted similar challenges, on the one hand to enhance tree cover in areas such as local parkland, riparian zones, and urban edges, helping to create landscape connectivity outside of woodlands and on the other to better understand the importance of trees in landscape settings. The approach would emphasise small or individual plantings in primarily non-woodland areas.
Vision and Purpose
The Local Treescape Project would focus on planting and restoring trees that serve both ecological and aesthetic functions, specifically:
- Enhancing views and restoring the visual prominence of trees in village and rural landscapes.
- Improving landscape connectivity outside woodland areas.
- Supporting natural colonisation and increasing local biodiversity.
- Providing broader ecosystem benefits, such as carbon absorption, flood protection, and support for wildlife.
By starting with individual trees or small groups, a goal would be to create a ripple effect of environmental and visual improvements, including landmark trees that form focal points within the landscape. Over time, we hope to see these efforts contribute to broader regional planting targets.
Initial Funding
The fund will be launched with an initial donation from get the point ltd, supplemented by additional fundraising efforts, with the goal of securing the first £10k from selected private and public sources. Given the capital grants available under schemes like the LATF, we also plan to pursue government and non-governmental funding to bolster the project’s resources.
Operational Structure
- Focus Areas: Initial focus will be on Conservation Villages and non-woodland zones such as:
- Parklands and village greens.
- Riparian areas, roadsides, and public footpaths.
- Hedgerows and field boundaries (excluding the hedgerows themselves).
- Urban and peri-urban settings.
- Criteria for Funding: Following LATF principles, our criteria for project funding will include:
- Location and tenure: The proposed tree planting must be in areas with secure tenure, whether public or private land, with clear long-term protection.
- Diverse planting: To maximize ecosystem benefits, we will support a mix of tree sizes and species, with a focus on native species and planting schemes that enhance landscape connectivity.
- Management and sustainability: Applicants must present a credible plan for tree management, including details on protection from threats and post-planting care.
- Justification and impact: Proposals should demonstrate why funding is needed and how the trees will contribute to broader ecological or landscape goals.
- Landowner Agreements:
- Agreements will be secured with landowners to ensure the long-term care and security of planted trees.
- Trees must be protected for the duration of their expected lifespan, with monitoring provided by The Local Treescape Project or its partners.
- Partnerships: As recommended by the LATF, we encourage collaboration with:
- Local schools and educational bodies.
- Grassroots and community organizations.
- NGOs and private landowners.
Funding and Grants
The Local Treescape Project will seek funding through:
- Private donations and local fundraising efforts.
- Public grants, including schemes similar to the LATF or other government-backed initiatives for environmental restoration.
- Collaborative projects with local authorities, NGOs, and community groups, ensuring that planting efforts align with broader environmental goals.
Future Development
In the future, a foundation could be created to:
- Expand its role to support larger planting projects, potentially participating in regional reforestation targets.
- Offer technical advice to landowners and local authorities on tree planting best practices.
- Establish a framework for community engagement and education on the importance of trees in the landscape and their conservation.
Conclusion
By blending the objectives of The Local Treescape Project with criteria inspired by the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, we can ensure that our tree planting efforts deliver tangible environmental, social, and aesthetic benefits.
If the pilot project is successful, we could look at setting up a permanent foundation that would play a crucial role in restoring tree cover in non-woodland areas, improving landscape connectivity, and supporting the ecosystem services that trees provide.
