New fund to accelerate Local Authorities’ tree planting ambitions launched
A £7.8 million fund to support Local Authorities with the new staff and expertise needed to accelerate woodland and tree planting plans has launched.
The Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund, delivered by the Forestry Commission in partnership with Defra, will provide Local Authorities with financial support to boost capacity and resource, helping Local Authorities to employ, train up and bring on board professional expertise to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.
Successful Local Authorities will be awarded up to £150,000 (per Local Authority) to establish the new people resource needed to develop planting plans and applications for capital funding in 23/24 and 24/25. This could include new members of staff, such as project managers, woodland creation officers, community engagement officers, funding consultants, or specialist advisors, such as landscape architects or archaeologists.
All upper tier authorities (county councils, unitary councils, London boroughs, metropolitan boroughs, combined authorities) are eligible to apply.
Local Authorities will be invited to outline the measures they propose to increase capacity and in return identify the area of new woodland or numbers of trees they will commit to plant by winter season 24/25.
For more information on the fund and how to complete an application, take a look at our Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund page.
You can also watch the recording and download the slide deck from the webinar held on 21st June to find out more about the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund and the application process.