A fund worth up to £10 million has been secured by Future Woodlands Scotland to add more trees and green spaces to Scotland’s cities and towns.

The charity, which is dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has secured the money from BP energy to deliver the Urban Forestry Programme.

Community groups, local authorities, NGOs, charities and schools are being encouraged to apply for funding for projects, with up to £100,000 on offer.

The projects will aim to deliver more trees and green spaces to urban neighbourhoods and support biodiversity, community involvement, education and job creation.

Scotland ranks much lower than the EU average when it comes to urban tree cover, with less than 16 percent compared to 30.2 percent. Increasing the number of trees in cities and towns will help support the journey to net zero and deliver a wide range of socio-economic benefits.

The programme has an ambition to support urban projects that contribute to the 3:30:300 rule where everyone should see three trees from their home, every neighbourhood has 30% tree canopy and a quality green space within 300 metres.

They will also prioritise applications from the areas which have the fewest trees, which is measured by the Tree Quity tool that was brought to the UK by the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Health.

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Shireen Chambers, CEO of Future Woodlands Scotland said: “Trees are vital for boosting nature, combating flooding, providing shelter, reducing pollution and improving mental health. To ensure our towns and cities are healthy environments to live in, we need to plant and nurture more trees. Our goal is for everyone to benefit from trees, whether through learning about them, actively engaging in their care or simply spending time among them.

“We’re grateful to bp for helping us to realise this ambition through the Urban Forestry Programme. They have supported the regeneration of woodlands in Scotland for more than 20 years and are committed to making a positive impact to restore and enhance biodiversity where people live and work.

“Today marks a significant milestone for both FWS and bp as we open up applications for new projects. We’re particularly interested in proposals focused on areas most in need of well-maintained trees and woodlands. We urge all eligible groups to apply. Big things come from small beginnings and we’re looking for projects of all shapes and sizes. After all, mighty oaks grow from little acorns!”

Tom Hudson, BP’s project director, offshore wind said: “Over the next decade, Future Woodlands Scotland and bp will collaborate to include more trees in Scotland’s cities, towns and urban areas. We are delighted to support the charity creating leafier neighbourhoods, including trees in parks, streets, amenity areas and along canals and rivers.”

BP’s contribution to the programme is part of its commitment to the country which were made as part of the ScotWind bid for its Morven offshore wind project.

The programme has already funded two pilot projects which include a tree warden volunteer scheme in Glasgow and a fruit and nut tree planting project in Stirling.

That will see 200 apple, pear and walnut trees planted in Raploch and Bannockburn with tree planting previously overlooked despite on-going regeneration in the region.

Local environmental organisation, Treelink Stirling, has received funding from the Urban Forestry Programme to plant productive trees in residents’ gardens which will not only increase the tree canopy cover but also yield healthy produce which can be enjoyed by the local community.

Thanks to funding from the Urban Forestry Programme, the Clyde Climate Forest (CCF) initiative, active across the Glasgow City Region, has employed a Community Volunteer Co-ordinator.

The role has been taken on by Laura Salvage and she will roll out the Tree Council’s Tree Warden scheme in the region to recruit and train local volunteers to help care for more than 10,000 newly planted urban trees.

Chris Stark, Director of Clyde Climate Forest, said: “The Tree Warden scheme is crucial for ensuring our urban trees stay healthy and thrive, and receiving support from the Urban Forestry Programme is a fantastic boost.  We’re excited about the positive changes this initiative will bring to Glasgow’s green spaces.”

Applications for the new Urban Forestry Programme grants are open until 15 November 2024. More information, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, is available at www.futurewoodlands.org.uk