Community forest expands with three new partners

The North East Community Forest (NECF) Partnership is expanding with The Tree Council, Tyne Rivers Trust, and Wear Rivers Trust joining the partnership. 

The new members will join a well-established group of professionals from across the region and beyond to offer advice and support to future tree planting projects. 

Ross Weddle, Chair, North East Community Forest said: “It is fantastic that these new partners have joined us. We look forward to working together alongside our other partners to continue our ambitious plans to plant thousands of hectares of trees to improve the natural environment and create happier and healthier places for us all to live, work in and visit.”

The NECF Partnership, established in July 2021, is a collaboration between local authorities, the NE Combined Authority, and national, regional and local charities and agencies who work together to protect, manage, and enhance the region’s treescapes.

The Forest area covers 1,503 square kilometres of North East England, including the entire geographical boundaries of Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland, plus, the main urban areas of County Durham. Furthermore, the Forest extents from Newcastle’s boundary to Northumberland, via a ten-mile halo. 

The Tree Council brings everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and our planet’s future. They inspire and empower organisations, government, communities and individuals with the knowledge and tools to create positive, lasting change at a national and local level.

Sara Lom, The Tree Council CEO said: “The Tree Council is delighted to be joining this important partnership. It’s only by working together, across regions and sectors, that we will ensure a bright future for our existing treescapes and give our newly planted trees the best chance of survival to maturity.”

The Tyne Rivers Trust are the only environmental charity dedicated to looking after the Tyne Rivers. The work they do is vital to tackle the effects of climate change and support the wildlife and landscape of the Tyne rivers.

Ceri Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, Tyne Rivers Trust said: “We’re extremely pleased to join the NECF Partnership. Trees play a huge role in supporting the water quality of our rivers by filtering pollutants, absorbing rainwater which helps to provide flood protection, and of course they also create healthy habitats for plants and animals. We’re looking forward to working with the partnership to drive positive environmental change and build a sustainable future.”

The Wear Rivers Trust’s goal is to protect, improve and help manage the land and water ways of the Wear Catchment, to benefit all who live, work and play in the region. They focus on improving the environment of urban and rural communities, using nature based solutions to problems like pollution, flooding and habitat loss.

Kirstie Hutchinson - Chief Executive Officer at Wear Rivers Trust said: “Here at Wear Rivers Trust, we are delighted to join the NECF partnership. Trees are vitally important to add additional shade for wildlife and protect river banks from erosion, as well as helping combat climate change. We are looking forward to working with the partnership to help make a positive change to our environment.”