One Million Trees for Norfolk project gathers pace

Norfolk County Council agreed to a One Million Trees for Norfolk project in 2019, to get a million trees and hedges planted within five years.

The scheme, which grew from a motion taken to the Conservative-controlled council by independent councillor Sandra Squire, aimed to help tackle climate change, provide safe habitats for wildlife and boost people's health and well-being.

But, as of the end of last year, just 68,000 had been planted.

Council bosses admitted they were disappointed at progress, saying the coronavirus pandemic had hampered the scheme.

But, with tree planting season now under way, the council said it aims to get the project back on track.

Early next year the council will plant 55,000 hedge and tree plants on six farms the authority owns as part of its County Farms estate.

And the council has announced the public has applied for 20,000 saplings to plant as part of the DEFRA-funded Jubilee Trees for Norfolk scheme.

Eric Vardy, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for the environment (Image: Supplied by the Conservatives)

Eric Vardy, the council's cabinet member for environment and waste, said: “This is a huge step forward and will have a big impact in connecting nature across the county.

"Not only will these trees and hedgerows help create new habitats for wildlife, but they also help in our response to tackling the challenges of climate change by increasing the levels of carbon stored across our estates."

People can apply for tree packs through the Jubilee Trees scheme at www.norfolk.gov.uk/jubileetrees, although that closes in early January.

The council says a partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Claylands Wilder Connections project will add a further 10,000 to the total, taking the total trees planted over the 150,000 milestone.

The council has also recently been awarded almost £150,000 as part of the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund, which will be spent on new staff to boost the One Million Trees project.

People can see a map showing where trees and hedges have been planted and fill in details of trees they have planted at www.norfolk.gov.uk/milliontrees.