Humber Forest, the community forest for Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, has launched a new strategy for its work for the next 25 years.
It is committed to ensuring that it plants the ‘right tree in the right place for the right reason,’ and to working with communities, landowners and external agencies to increase tree cover and maintain existing woodland.
Humber Forest is committed to empowering communities to connect with nature, enhancing and championing the natural environment, and enabling climate resilience and adaption for the region.
Since 2020, Humber Forest has planted 292 Hectares of trees, equivalent to the area of 453 full-size football pitches, this includes 104 kilometres of hedgerow, equivalent to 49 times the length of the Humber Bridge.
The forest is one of 15 community forests across England and is part of the larger Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast. East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the accountable body for the Humber Forest.
They work with farmers, landowners, businesses and communities, and provide grants to cover up to 100% of funding for planting and associated costs, as well as for at least five years of establishment. Larger sites may be eligible for 15 years of establishment and ecosystem service payments.
These trees can play a vital role in creating habitats for wildlife, improving community spaces, reducing soil erosion and flooding, and improving air quality.
The majority of tree saplings for Humber Forest plantings are grown at Mires Beck Nursery in North Cave, an East Yorkshire charity that supports adults with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and autism.
Councillor Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment at Hull City Council, said: “Humber Forest is a brilliant initiative which brings communities together whilst supporting the area’s biodiversity and environment.
“As a council, we are committed to tackling the nature emergency, and the Humber Forest programme really demonstrates that.”
Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for environment and transport said: “Humber Forest is a fantastic program to support our communities and tackle threats such as flooding and climate change. I encourage interested landowners to get in touch with the Humber Forest team and find out how they can be involved.”
Leah Cave, Humber Forest partnership manager said: “We’re very proud of the fantastic progress we have made in planting trees and hedgerows across the region, alongside our partners. The launch event was a fantastic demonstration of our commitment to growing the Humber Forest, for decades to come.”
Humber Forest funds both large and small projects and are eager to hear from any landowners who are interested in planting trees or hedgerow on their land. They can be contacted at humber.forest@eastriding.gov.uk or visit www.humberforest.org
Tree and hedgerow planting in the Humber Forest is supported with funding from the Trees for Climate and Northern Forest Grow Back Greener funds, supported by Defra and provide landowners with grants to cover up to 100% of all woodland creation project costs.
