Greening the Gateway Kent & Medway Urban Forestry Project Presentation by Joanne Smith to Leysdown Parish Council Thursday August 19, 2010

Urban Woodland Project Where? Street trees Lower grade agricultural land Urban fringe Gapping up New developments

Trees in towns and cities – how? Amsterdam tree soil Trained trees Root shields Genetically modified? Create more space during redevelopment Plant blocks of trees Private sector: USP Services – move to middle or side

 Thames Gateway policies  Forestry Commission: 4% increase  Climate Change Act 2008: 80% carbon reduction by 2050  South East Plan: ‘plan, provide and manage substantial networks of GI’; ‘mitigate new developments’  Grey to Green (CABE 2009) - Ameliorate urban micro-climates  BAP Species-rich hedgerows ‘Chainsaw Massacre’ London Assembly report, 2007 Trees in Towns II, CLG, ‘Lollipop Landscape’ - Rapid decline in tree-planting since 1980s - LA tree programmes ‘vital for greener, cleaner, safer, sustainable towns’ Background evidence

Issues –Funding / budget cuts –Long- and short- term maintenance –Knowledge: right tree, right place –Champions

Funding opportunities Forestry Commission The Woodland Trust Big Lottery Fund: Community Wildlife Fundraising events Kent Free Tree Scheme Trees for Cities

Woodland Trust MoreWOODS scheme: Min. 1ha (2.5acres). 1,000 trees per hectare. Can comprise number of smaller areas WT advise on species, planting and maintenance Applicants contribution – either financial or by planting the trees Can complement FC English Woodland Grant Scheme

Hedge and copse packs Aimed at schools, 30 trees plus instructions, £40 per box Community packs 100 trees, instructions, £150 per box *Currently offering free packs* Acre in a box 420 trees (could be fruit), includes community event, £1.50 to £6.50 per tree

Forestry Commission English Woodland Creation Grant Up to £1,800 per ha New woodland near where people live Public access, recreation For wildlife, or as buffer to existing woodland To enhance the landscape Restoring former industrial land 0.25ha minimum

Case Study: Milton Creek Country Park

6ha new woodland Former landfill site, 52ha English Woodland Creation Scheme £3,800 per ha (priority area) Friends of Group Community Wildlife Grant

Sense of place – Cluster Studies Thames Gateway Reduce pollution/Improve air quality Health/community engagement Reduce traffic noise/wind speed Mitigate temperature extremes Urban Woodland Project