Wirral Council is appealing for the support of an army of volunteers as it looks to plant more than 10,000 new trees this winter.
Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the council has committed to planting more trees – lots of them.
By 2030, the council will have supported the planting of 210,000 trees, or 21,000 per year across the borough, doubling the borough’s tree canopy.
For every dangerous tree that has to be cut down for public safety reasons, we will replace it many times over. It will be a huge effort – and the council needs the help of the community.
Trees not only capture and store carbon, but they help prevent flooding, reduce air pollution, regulate temperature and support local wildlife. They absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and the carbon that they store in their wood helps fight climate change.
They reduce wind speeds and cool the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves. It’s estimated that trees can reduce the temperature in a city by up to 7°C.
Trees also help prevent flooding and soil erosion, absorbing thousands of litres of stormwater.
Currently, the council is looking for volunteers to help plant more than 10,000 saplings this winter.
You can get involved at:
• 13 November 2021 at Bentham Close Greenspace, Claughton
• 27 November 2021 at Leasowe Playing Fields
• 11 December 2021 at Carr Bridge Road Greenspace, Upton
• 8 January 2022 at Boundary Road Greenspace, Bidston
• 15 January 2022 at Limekiln Lane, Seacombe
• 22 January 2022 at Flynn’s Piece, Wallasey
Councillor Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said: “We have been really ambitious with our tree planting target for 2030 because trees play such a crucial role in storing carbon and protecting our environment. Our commitment to planting is a big part of what we’re doing as a council and as a borough in response to the climate emergency and having such a variety of trees planted means they will provide valuable habitat for many different species of wildlife including birds, bats and insects.
“We often hear from residents who want to get involved with tree planting and I hope people will be encouraged to get in touch and come along to one of our planting sessions. Trees are key to our sense of place, identity and pride and it’s essential that local people and groups are at the heart of what we do.”
The council will soon also be sharing details on upcoming edible hedgerow planting events which will take place this winter, creating a valuable habitat for both wildlife and people.
If you’re interested in getting involved in a community planting scheme near you, please visit www.wirral.gov.uk/wirraltrees to find out more.
If you want to sign up for an event please email nicolawallbank@wirral.gov.uk.
