£4m tree planting campaign

COMMUNITY woodland sites at Warrington and across Cheshire and Merseyside will benefit from a £4.2 million tree planting campaign announced by the government.
The Big Tree Plant campaign has been welcomed by the Mersey Forest – the network of community woodlands being created across the local area.
It will encourage community groups, organisations and individuals to plant and care for trees in towns, cities and residential areas across England.
Some £4.2 million funding will be available between 2011 and 2015 for groups to carry out tree planting projects in their area.
The launch of the campaign coincides with an already packed schedule of tree planting this winter across Merseyside and Cheshire.
More than 50 local sites will benefit from new trees during the planting season which runs from November to March as part of the creation of The Mersey Forest the network of community woodlands being created across the local area.
Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest said: “Getting people working together to improve their environment is what the Mersey Forest is all about.
“This winter we’re helping local communities to plant more than a thousand trees and make a big impact right on their doorstep, and through The Big Tree Plant we look forward to getting even more people involved.”
Since 1994, the Mersey Forest has planted more than eight million trees – equivalent to five for every person living in the area.
Local groups can find out how to apply for funding from The Big Tree Plant by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/thebigtreeplant or by calling The Mersey Forest offices on 01925 816217.