Posted on Wednesday 2nd February 2022
Simon Tagg at one of the tree planting sites at Pye Green, Hednesford
Thousands of trees are being planted at county council development and green space sites as part of national programmes and the authority’s own long-term action plan to combat climate change.
In addition to the benefits of carbon capture, tree planting benefits the environment through increasing wildlife habitat and biodiversity, as well as aiding flood protection.
The county council is working with The Forest of Mercia Community Interest Company – which delivers environmental enhancement and educational programmes – on two sites where 17,500 trees will be planted. Both are in Cannock Chase district, the now fully occupied Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park and Pye Green Valley, where hundreds of new homes have been built.
Nearly £92,000 was secured from the Government’s Trees for Climate Fund for the two Cannock Chase sites, with planting due to be completed by the end of March this year.
Major tree planting schemes are also taking place at the recently completed county council developments i54 South Staffordshire Western Extension and the Stafford Western Access Route. As part of the i54 South Staffordshire scheme, a range of improvements were made to the adjacent Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve.
The county council worked with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to restore and create wetland wildlife habitats as part of the Stafford Western Access Route.
At all four sites, the tree planting will also form part of the national Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which encourages groups and individuals to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’. Commemorative plaques will be installed at each site.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change Simon Tagg said:
Extensive tree planting at our key business and regeneration developments demonstrates our commitment to combating climate change, whilst enhancing the environment at employment and residential sites.
As a county council we have a strong track record for the delivery of major schemes attracting multi-million-pound investment. This, together with protecting our environment are top priorities to us, and so we’re pleased to have been working closely with a range of partners on these programmes which will benefit future generations.
“It’s also timely that we have been able to join the Jubilee celebrations through the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative."
At Pye Green Valley, two ‘mini forests’ will be created, using a technique which involves planting small areas of woodland at high density. This results in high levels of biomass within a small area, capturing more carbon. If successful here, more could be created on other county council sites, including schools and country parks.
People can find out more about the Queen’s Green Canopy at www.queensgreencanopy.org