Trees for Climate

Trees for Climate is a major new grant program for tree and woodland planting and aftercare secured through Defra funding by the Forest of Avon Trust, working as part of England's Community Forests. The grant offers innovative and unprecedented flexibility to meet up to 100% of planting and supporting infrastructure costs with ongoing maintenance. The program is designed to support tree planting that suits landowner needs, benefits the land, and brings wider benefits to the region. The grant is highly flexible and supports a wide range of planting types including small and large scale woodlands (both rural and urban), wood pasture, community orchards, hedgerows and shrub belts with field trees, urban and parkland planting of feathered/standards, natural regeneration, and planting for timber. The program is intended to cover a wide range of costs including planning and project management, exploratory checks, surveys and reports, supplies and equipment (trees, tree-guards, fencing, mulch mats), public access infrastructure, signage and interpretation, site infrastructure such as access, egress, seating, and structures, as well as community engagement activity and communications. The Forest of Avon Trust provides comprehensive support using local knowledge and partner working, offering the level of support needed to get trees planted and cared for in the right place. They will visit your land, advise on options, work with partners to seek exploratory checks and approvals, and undertake the Forestry Commission/Environmental Impact Assessment. The program is informed by the Forest of Avon Plan released through the West of England Nature Partnership. This funding opportunity is available on a rolling basis with no closing date, making it accessible for landowners and organizations across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, and North Somerset who wish to explore tree planting projects that deliver environmental and community benefits.