A newly launched Community Tree and Hedgerow Planting Grant aims to boost community involvement in tree planting, ensuring Westmorland and Furness reaps the benefits of more trees and hedgerows.
The new grant is part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s ongoing One Tree per Resident (OTpR) project - an ambitious initiative which aims to ensure the planting of a quarter of a million trees over five years - and will provide funding to help local groups, schools, and landowners, plant trees and hedgerows in their communities.
The OTpR project is a response to the climate and biodiversity crises, aiming to create greener spaces, enhance biodiversity, and help tackle climate change. The initiative supports communities across the area to plant one tree - or one metre of hedgerow equivalent - for every resident, bringing long-term benefits to people, wildlife, and the environment.
To date, around 42,000 trees and hedgerows have been planted across Westmorland and Furness through community-led initiatives and partner organisations, and supported by grants for community orchards and micro woodlands.
The council is now building on these efforts with the next phase of the OTpR project, and the introduction of its new Community Tree and Hedgerow Planting Grant, which aims to further boost community involvement in planting and ensure that more areas of Westmorland and Furness can benefit from trees and hedgerows.
Grants start from £2,000, with a minimum requirement of 50 trees, which can include a mix of trees and hedgerows (e.g., 20 trees and 30m of hedge). Applications can be submitted in partnership to meet these minimum thresholds and trees can be planted up until March 2026.
Applications are open until Monday 10 March 2025. For more details on the funding and how to apply, visit: One Tree per Resident | Westmorland and Furness Council.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
"As an ecologically aware council, we recognise the urgent need to take action on climate change and biodiversity loss. The One Tree per Resident project is a major part of our commitment to a greener future, empowering our communities to make a real difference. This initiative was a key pledge in the Liberal Democrat manifesto, and we are proud to be delivering on that promise.
“The launch of this new grant scheme is a key part of our efforts to support communities in increasing tree and hedgerow coverage, which plays a vital role in mitigating climate change impacts. Trees not only sequester carbon and contribute to our net zero goals, but they also enhance biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and create healthier spaces for people and wildlife.
“With around 42,000 trees and hedgerows already planted, this next phase will build on our efforts and bring us closer to our ambitious target. We are proud to have already supported community orchards and micro woodlands across the area, and with this new scheme, we are hoping even more people get involved. We are fortunate to have many active and involved communities in Westmorland and Furness and I hope many schools, parish and town councils, community groups and charities will consider applying.”
Trees and hedgerows provide a range of benefits, including:
- Absorbing and storing carbon to combat climate change
- Providing shade and shelter for wildlife and communities
- Enhancing biodiversity and improving landscapes
- Capturing air pollution and improving air quality
- Reducing soil erosion and improving water quality
- Lowering flood risk in vulnerable areas
The council will work closely with local partners, schools, and community organisations to deliver the One Tree per Resident project. Anyone interested in planting trees or applying for funding can find out more by visiting: One Tree per Resident | Westmorland and Furness Council.