Over 40,000 trees planted as NECF celebrates successful planting season

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The North East Community Forest is celebrating a successful planting season

Volunteers have played a pivotal role in helping to build a greener future after more than 40,000 trees were planted across the North East.

The North East Community Forest celebrated a successful planting season after 85.83 hectares of woodland – the equivalent of 70 football pitches – were planted across Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and urban areas of County Durham.

A total of 1,577 linear metres of hedgerows were also planted between November and March, while a further 17 hectares of open space was created.

Almost 1,200 volunteers supported the cause by rolling up their sleeves and taking part in 58 events, helping to plant 12,078 trees.

The increase in tree cover will bring many benefits to communities, including providing homes for wildlife, bringing people closer to nature, having a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing and contributing to efforts to tackle climate change.

It will also capture 26,624 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over 30 years.

North East Community Forest Chairman, Ross Weddle, said: “Trees and woodlands are of vital importance to the long term health and prosperity of the North East so we are delighted 41,048 new trees have been planted across the region.

“All of this could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of community groups and volunteers, who planted more than a quarter of the trees.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support and we look forward to working together in the future to create more wonderful green spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

In a joint statement, Vice Chairs Cllr Jane Byrne, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for a Connected, Clean City and Cllr Sandra Graham, North Tyneside Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change said: “We are immensely proud of our communities for coming together and volunteering their time to take part in the fantastic tree-planting projects.

“The planting of these new woodlands and trees is another important step towards making our communities happier and healthier places for us all to live, work in and visit.

“It’s incredibly important we keep the momentum going and landowners continue to come forward to take advantage of the advice and funding available and support woodland creation.”

One of 13 Community Forests across England, the North East Community Forest is a multi-million pound project that has seen six local authorities join forces with environmental organisations to plant tens of thousands of trees across the region.

With years of experience and locally based support, the team helps communities, landowners and businesses to plan, fund and deliver tree planting projects of all sizes – from farms and private estates to parks and community spaces.

Any landowners with land suitable for tree planting should contact the North East Community Forest by emailing info@necf.org.uk.

You can visit the newly launched North East Community Forest website at www.northeastcommunityforest.org.uk.

You can also see our recently published annual report at northeastcommunityforest.org.uk/north-east-community-forest-annual-report.