It’s no secret that we need to do more to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies that we find ourselves in. Whilst the worst of global emissions can be reduced at government level, the actions of individuals have a vital role to play if we are to alleviate the worst that climate change can throw at us. 

As the impacts of climate change become ever more apparent, people are looking to natural solutions at a local, national, and international scale to help mitigate the worst of the effects. 

In Essex, the Essex Climate Action Commission has led the way in bringing local government and individuals together as the county pursues a reduction in emissions and follows a path to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Amongst other things, the Commission’s report spells out the vital role that trees will play in our fight against climate change. 

Essex County Council has met this call with enthusiasm and the Essex Forest Initiative is a funded 5-year project that intends to plant a minimum of 375,000 trees across the county to not only sequester at least 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide but also create and connect habitats, increase biodiversity, bring people closer to nature, reduce the worst of flooding and improve air quality. 

A Youth Commission report found that tree planting was the option most young people in Essex preferred to tackle climate change and the Essex Forest Initiative has seen plenty of interest from school groups and youth groups in actively partaking in planting events.

Working with a wide range of partners including: The Conservation Volunteers, Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, borough, district and parish councils, private landowners and other planting projects, the Essex Forest Initiative is reintroducing woodlands and hedgerows in areas where they have been lost, creating new woodland in suitable areas, replanting urban and street trees to green our urban areas and create new green spaces for the benefits of people and wildlife.

Sitting within the County Council’s Climate Adaptation and Mitigation team, the Essex Forest Initiative is also ideally placed to work with the wider Green Infrastructure targets that the Council has been challenged to meet by the Essex Climate Action Commission.

Tree planting at scale is often questioned by those who believe trees can cause more of a nuisance than they’re worth if planned badly. The Essex Forest Initiative is committed to implementing the best standards to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place and that the long-term health and positive effects of each tree is considered at the planning, planting, and maintenance stages of each project.

To date the Initiative has planted nearly 80,000 trees and engaged hundreds of volunteers along the way. With 3 full planting seasons ahead, there is plenty still to do to have the biggest possible impact in making Essex a greener, cleaner place.

The Essex Forest Initiative can help with tree planting in all its guises from financial support to planning and/or planting, the Initiative can help.

If you have a project in mind, no matter how big or small, or whether on public or private land, or want to get involved as a volunteer, get in touch at [email protected] or find out more at www.essexclimate.org.uk. 

Tom Moat

Forestry and Woodland Officer, Essex County Council.