RE:LEAF Community Grant Scheme
London greener and leafier in areas where it matters most.
The trees and woodlands in and around our towns and cities are essential in promoting healthy and sustainable communities. There is much evidence to show that street trees and the wider green infrastructure can improve the quality of neighbourhoods through a wide range of health and environmental benefits.
Foreword
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“Native Bluebells� by Daniel Monk
The Forestry Commission‘s Community Grant Scheme has been operating since 2007 and has helped to support hundreds of community projects across London. Schools, hospitals, communities and friends groups have all benefitted from this assistance and advice and together they have helped to make
The Big Society is about local people getting together to improve their own neighbourhoods. This is being encouraged by The Big Tree Plant which is celebrating its 1st anniversary. This campaign aims to increase the number of trees planted in towns and cities through community led tree planting projects. In London, the Forestry Commission has been actively encouraging this approach since the schemes inception. I am pleased to support this worthwhile initiative which demonstrates what can be achieved if we work together with local volunteers and groups who want to provide a greener and better environment for the future.
Tim Rollinson Director General Director England and Deputy Chair Forestry Commission
“People have experienced positive impacts as a result of the Community Grant Scheme, which has helped to improve the quality of the local environment.” Rekha Kharel Bastola Independent consultant Evaluator of the Community Grant Scheme The Forestry Commission’s RE:LEAF Community Grant Scheme is a tree and woodland grant programme for London, delivered in partnership with social and environmental regeneration charity Groundwork London. The scheme funds projects which offer local communities an opportunity to improve their local environment. Those areas in greatest need are targeted, with a particular emphasis on improving the health and well-being of local communities. To date, £555,000 of grants have been awarded to 171 projects across 29 London boroughs. Through their practical engagement in tree and woodland activities, communities have played an active role in improving their local environments. This in turn has
helped to create a greater sense of community pride and ownership in some of London’s most deprived neighbourhoods. The aim of the scheme is to focus on improving community health and wellbeing as well as informing children about the natural environment, enhancing biodiversity and supporting climate adaptation. The scheme is part of the wider RE:LEAF partnership initiative headed by the Mayor of London to create opportunities for Londoners, businesses and local communities to help protect London’s trees and increase London’s trees cover.
Image by Ian Henghes. Runner up London Tree and Woodland Awards 2010.
Making a Difference in London 3
Project locations across London
Our Impact
Enfield Barnet Haringey
Harrow
Redbridge Brent
Hillingdon
Havering Camden Newham
Ealing
Greenwich Hounslow
Bexley Wandsworth Lewisham
Richmond
Merton Croydon
Kingston
Bromley Project sites
Sutton
• The dots may represent more than one project in that location. • In some instances full location details could not be provided so these are either represented as close to the area as possible or not included in the map.
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© Groundwork GIS 2011. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey License number 0100041467.
Awarded over £555,000 to projects Awarded grants to schemes in 29 of London’s 33 boroughs Supported 171 projects since 2007 Planted 42,614 whips and 2,581 standard trees Involved 150 schools in planting or educationbased projects 20,741 children and young people actively engaged with projects 350 partners involved 7,154 adults participated in project delivery Generated £893,082 match funding Equivalent of £124,460 donated as gifts in kind to the scheme 5
Schools and young people have had a fantastic opportunity to be practically involved with trees and nature through the scheme, and many projects funded have had direct educational benefits.
Education and Schools
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The Garden Classroom is a social enterprise that runs environmental workshops at Docwras Wood in King Henry's Walk Garden, Islington. They provide children and young people with first-hand experience and learning about trees and nature in their local area. In 2010 and 2011, over 500 children attended workshops and special events. In Oldfield Primary School, Ealing, 25 fruit trees of four varieties were planted in the school grounds. The trees were planted adjacent to the school in an unused field and directly in front a busy main road. The planting was undertaken by the
school children and Groundwork London’s Green Team, an employment initiative that engages long term unemployed people. The children have displayed a keen interest and ownership for the trees and surrounding school grounds. Once the trees are established and producing fruit the children will learn about fruit production and take part in cooking classes using produce they have personally helped to grow.
150 schools participated in grant funded projects 20,741 young people were actively involved in projects
“I think the most important thing that the children learnt was how to look at nature that is all around them. They were directed, in a challenging way, to look firstly at the trees that can be found locally and to identify them. They then had a chance in the woodland to look for wildlife that is interdependent on the trees. They loved it!” Local Primary School Teacher attending the Garden Classroom project in Islington
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Partnerships are critical to the success and sustainability of grant funded projects. Most projects involved a range of partners including local residents, charities, local authorities, businesses and housing associations.
Creating and Sustaining Partnerships
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EastendHomes, the social landlord of Manchester Estate in the Isle of Dogs, enlisted the expertise of Trees for Cities, an independent charity which inspires people to plant and care for trees, to support them in engaging local residents to transform the green areas around their estate, as part of the Manchester Estate Edibles project. Following extensive consultation, an edible garden and nature trail were planned, designed and built. The local residents were involved in transforming the space; over 100 trees were planted alongside 1,000 shrubs. This has made the estate a place for the community to enjoy as well as protecting and encouraging local wildlife to the area. In total, 464 members of the community participated in the project.
“Our partnership with Trees for Cities has delivered substantial environmental benefits alongside equally substantial resident participation. We’re very pleased with the success of the phased Manchester Estate project and will seek to recreate this elsewhere within our stock, working alongside our environmental partners Trees for Cities.”
Commu nity
Paul Wilson Community Engagement Manager EastendHomes Over 350 partner organisations have been involved in the delivery of projects
“I like everything about it! It’s good for the environment.” A Manchester Estate local resident
“It’s better than it used to be and people are beginning to respect the area.” A Manchester Estate local resident
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Community “The scheme has enabled us to give our well-established network of volunteers the plants and materials they need to work most effectively.” Terry Lyle Chair Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
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The Forestry Commission and partners are continually impressed by those projects which have been delivered by Friends of Groups. The commitment and dedication shown by volunteers to improve London’s natural habitats for the benefit of communities are truly inspiring. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park wanted to encourage greater use of the cemetery as a sanctuary for people and a place of biodiversity whilst protecting and preserving the history of the site. The funding was used to manage the site, including extending pathways for greater public access and enjoyment, coppicing, replanting trees, weeding, creating information signs and leaflets and running training sessions on woodland development and management. The benefits of undertaking these works for the public are considerable.
�Over the years, as the park has developed through woodland and biodiversity management, the number of ways that people decide to use the park and involve themselves has increased. Social and community benefits simply come about as a result of a sense of ownership as we improve the park. We are always excited to know what people will come up with next.� Kenneth Greenaway Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Liaison Officer Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
25 Friends and community groups have applied directly for funding 86 Friends and community groups have worked in partnership with charities and local authorities to deliver projects
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As part of the Forestry Commission’s commitment to health and wellbeing, the scheme focussed on supporting projects that were able to demonstrate the role of trees and woodlands in delivering health benefits. These ranged from physical activity to work in hospital grounds. St Ann’s Hospital in Tottenham is home to some of the rarest trees in Britain, many of which have remarkable fruits. The trees are believed to have been planted in the 1920’s by a former Kew Gardens worker who chose trees reputed to have therapeutic value.
Health and Wellbeing 12
The Forestry Commission funding enabled a group of patients with mental health issues, as well as staff and tree experts to establish the Trees of St. Ann’s Hospital Project. This has resulted in activities such as tree care sessions and fruit pressing, using apples and pears harvested from the trees on the hospital site.
Patients were able to leave the wards and participate in events which were creative, enjoyable and helped to build knowledge about the trees and their many uses. Community members, along with patients and staff, attended informative and inspiring Tree Tours which resulted in the creation of a booklet to celebrate historical trees on the site. Photographs of the trees have been displayed in wards or waiting rooms and have been much appreciated by all.
Photographs by Maria de Fatina Compos © Compos & Davis Photos 2010-11
Fruit pressing at one of London’s orchards
”This has been one of the most successful projects to take place in the hospital and we greatly appreciate that the Forestry Commission has funded such a ground-breaking scheme. This project has helped to improve the environment and people’s wellbeing since the trees and images of growth and fruits are so uplifting or grounding when we are struggling with health issues.“ Tamara Capellaro St Ann’s Hospital Trees Project Lead Day Therapy Department, St Ann’s Hospital
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Trees and woodlands are an essential component in creating a sustainable legacy of the Olympics and supporting longer term regeneration of the Thames Gateway and East London.
Olympic Legacy
“The legacy of the Olympics in London should include a greater understanding and improvement of the environment. The ‘Trees for the Hosts’ project is a fantastic and historic opportunity for schools and children of all ages to be a part of this programme which will not only leave a lasting legacy but help to enhance the quality of their local communities.” Ron Melville Director London Forestry Commission
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Image by Ian Henghes. Runner up London Tree and Woodland Awards 2010.
Trees for the Hosts is an Olympicsinspired tree planting project. London Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission and London 2012 have teamed up to showcase the vital importance of trees and community participation in the Host Boroughs. The project is engaging local community groups and schools in the areas integral to London’s green grid network, to include streets, parks, schools, open spaces and areas of tree deficiency. Last year 645 students took the lead in improving their school grounds by planting trees to create a better natural environment for their school. A total of 1,029 native trees and shrubs were planted that will not only provide shelter and food for wildlife, but will also provide shade and help offset the effects of climate change.
“Rowan class really enjoyed it! They’re all very keen to keep looking after the trees, and were asking me at home time when they could water them.” Elena Hunn St John the Baptist Primary School Hackney
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London’s Orchards
The Forestry Commission has supported London’s community orchards. They yield many benefits including supporting community engagement, food growing and greening the urban environment, as well as supporting wildlife habitats. The London Orchard Project aims to create a skilled community of Londoners to plant, care for and harvest fruit trees, connecting local communities and giving increased access to fresh fruit across the capital. The scheme supported the project to create new community orchards in partnership with housing estate residents, university students, park user groups and local authorities, across London.
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“We are very proud of the success of our project. Thank you to the Forestry Commission who supported our project from its earliest days, allowing us to gain experience and secure match funding for our activities. To date there are 23 urban orchards, with a further 14 planned for this winter.“ Carina Millstone Chief Executive, London Orchard Project
The Scheme has supported the creation of over 23 orchards and the planting of 643 fruit trees
“I am truly delighted about the result of our planting day. Thank you to everyone, who joined in to transform the neglected area.” Sarah Lewisham Community volunteer
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The effective management of woodlands is extremely important for the long term protection of biodiversity and ensuring resilient ecosystems for assisting with climate adaptation in London. Local authorities and friends groups have worked together, supported by funding from the Forestry Commission to ensure the future sustainability of the capital’s woodlands.
Woodland Management 18
The London Borough of Bexley working with the local friends groups has applied for funding woodland management activities. Bexley has 238 hectares of woodland, the majority of which is classed as ancient woodland, so it is particularly important for nature conservation and biodiversity. The Forestry Commission has supported a number of projects at Foots Cray Meadows ranging from tree planting carried out with the friends group to a restoration coppicing scheme. To date funding has helped to plant 1,300 trees.
The Meadows is a special site in the London Borough of Bexley. It has been recognised as the best Country Park in London by London in Bloom for two years between 2009-2011.
The Scheme has worked with local authorities and friends groups to help manage and maintain a total of 1,097 hectares of woodlands across the capital.
“The work that has been supported by the RE:LEAF Community Grant Scheme has helped to contribute to success of the site.� Graham Mollison Environmental Manager London Borough of Bexley
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Autumn Rustle rustle rustle, walking through the leaves Rustle rustle rustle I see trees trees trees. Winner of the London Tree and Woodland Awards photograph competition 2010, Mark Lee.
Twigs leaves falling down, as you walk through the town, Squirrels burying all their nuts, hibernating for winter.
Front cover photo: “Climbing Frame� by Sean Harding.
Red orange yellow, colours everywhere, red orange yellow, what a lovely smell in the air. Swish swish swish, walking through the forest, trees swishing side to side and still tossing. Hedgehogs hibernating, snugly and warm, until the end of winter they will be gone. Rustle rustle rustle, walking through a lot of leaves, rustle rustle rustle, I see bare bare trees! By Isabella Rose (aged 9)
Contact 020 7922 1230 londonprogrammes@groundwork.org.uk www.ltwgs.org Our thanks to everyone who contributed to this publication
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Designed by Ernest Muller/Em Associates