RE:LEAF Community

GrantScheme

Foreword

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The trees and woodlands in andaround our towns and cities areessential in promoting healthy andsustainable communities. There ismuch evidence to show that streettrees and the wider greeninfrastructure can improve the qualityof neighbourhoods through a widerange of health and environmentalbenefits.

The Forestry Commission‘sCommunity Grant Scheme has beenoperating since 2007 and hashelped to support hundreds ofcommunity projects across London.Schools, hospitals, communities andfriends groups have all benefittedfrom this assistance and advice andtogether they have helped to make

London greener and leafier in areaswhere it matters most.

The Big Society is about local peoplegetting together to improve their ownneighbourhoods. This is beingencouraged by The Big Tree Plantwhich is celebrating its 1stanniversary. This campaign aims toincrease the number of trees plantedin towns and cities throughcommunity led tree planting projects.

In London, the Forestry Commissionhas been actively encouraging thisapproach since the schemesinception. I am pleased to supportthis worthwhile initiative whichdemonstrates what can be achievedif we work together with localvolunteers and groups who want toprovide a greener and betterenvironment for the future.

Tim Rollinson

Director GeneralDirector England and Deputy ChairForestry Commission

“Native Bluebells”by Daniel Monk

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“People have experienced positive impacts as a result ofthe Community Grant Scheme, which has helped toimprove the quality of the local environment.”

Rekha Kharel BastolaIndependent consultantEvaluator of the Community Grant Scheme

The Forestry Commission’s RE:LEAFCommunity Grant Scheme is a treeand woodland grant programmefor London, delivered in partnershipwith social and environmentalregeneration charity GroundworkLondon. The scheme funds projectswhich offer local communities anopportunity to improve their localenvironment. Those areas ingreatest need are targeted, with aparticular emphasis on improvingthe health and well-being of localcommunities.

To date, £555,000 of grants havebeen awarded to 171 projectsacross 29 London boroughs.Through their practicalengagement in tree and woodlandactivities, communities have playedan active role in improving theirlocal environments. This in turn has

helped to create a greater sense ofcommunity pride and ownership insome of London’s most deprivedneighbourhoods.

The aim of the scheme is to focuson improving community healthand wellbeing as well as informingchildren about the naturalenvironment, enhancingbiodiversity and supporting climate adaptation.

The scheme is part of the widerRE:LEAF partnership initiativeheaded by the Mayor of London tocreate opportunities for Londoners,businesses and local communitiesto help protect London’s trees andincrease London’s trees cover.

Making aDifferencein London

Image by Ian Henghes. Runner up LondonTree and Woodland Awards 2010.

• The dots may represent more than one project in thatlocation.

• In some instances full location details could not beprovided so these are either represented as close tothe area as possible or not included in the map.

© Groundwork GIS 2011. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey License number 0100041467.

Our Impact

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Project locations across London

Barnet

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Camden

Croydon

Ealing

Enfield

Greenwich

HaringeyHarrow

HaveringHillingdon

Hounslow

Kingston

Lewisham

Merton

Newham

Redbridge

Richmond

Sutton

Wandsworth

Project sites

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Awarded over £555,000 to projects

Awarded grants to schemes in 29 of London’s33 boroughs

Supported 171 projects since 2007

Planted 42,614 whips and 2,581 standard trees

Involved 150 schools in planting or education-based projects

20,741 children and young people activelyengaged 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

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EducationandSchools

Schools and young people have hada fantastic opportunity to bepractically involved with trees andnature through the scheme, andmany projects funded have had directeducational benefits.

The Garden Classroom is a socialenterprise that runs environmentalworkshops at Docwras Wood in KingHenry's Walk Garden, Islington. Theyprovide children and young peoplewith first-hand experience andlearning about trees and nature intheir local area. In 2010 and 2011,over 500 children attendedworkshops and special events.

In Oldfield Primary School, Ealing, 25fruit trees of four varieties wereplanted in the school grounds. Thetrees were planted adjacent to theschool in an unused field and directlyin front a busy main road. Theplanting was undertaken by the

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“I think the most important thing that thechildren learnt was how to look at nature thatis all around them. They were directed, in achallenging way, to look firstly at the trees thatcan be found locally and to identify them. Theythen had a chance in the woodland to look forwildlife that is interdependent on the trees.They loved it!”

Local Primary School Teacher attending the GardenClassroom project in Islington

150 schools participated ingrant funded projects

20,741 young people wereactively involved in projects

school children and GroundworkLondon’s Green Team, anemployment initiative that engageslong term unemployed people.

The children have displayed a keeninterest and ownership for the treesand surrounding school grounds.Once the trees are established andproducing fruit the children will learnabout fruit production and take part incooking classes using produce theyhave personally helped to grow.

Partnerships are critical to the successand sustainability of grant fundedprojects. Most projects involved arange of partners including localresidents, charities, local authorities,businesses and housing associations.

EastendHomes, the social landlord ofManchester Estate in the Isle of Dogs,enlisted the expertise of Trees forCities, an independent charity whichinspires people to plant and care fortrees, to support them in engaginglocal residents to transform the greenareas around their estate, as part ofthe Manchester Estate Edibles project.

Following extensive consultation, anedible garden and nature trail wereplanned, designed and built. Thelocal residents were involved intransforming the space; over 100trees were planted alongside 1,000shrubs. This has made the estate aplace for the community to enjoy aswell as protecting and encouraginglocal wildlife to the area. In total, 464members of the communityparticipated in the project.

Creating andSustainingPartnerships

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Community

“It’s better than it used to beand people are beginning torespect the area.”

A Manchester Estate local resident

“Our partnership with Trees for Cities hasdelivered substantial environmental benefitsalongside equally substantial residentparticipation. We’re very pleased with thesuccess of the phased Manchester Estateproject and will seek to recreate thiselsewhere within our stock, workingalongside our environmental partners Treesfor Cities.”

Paul WilsonCommunity Engagement ManagerEastendHomes

“I like everything about it! It’sgood for the environment.”

A Manchester Estate local resident

Over 350 partner organisationshave been involved in thedelivery of projects

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The Forestry Commission andpartners are continually impressed bythose projects which have beendelivered by Friends of Groups. Thecommitment and dedication shownby volunteers to improve London’snatural habitats for the benefit ofcommunities are truly inspiring.

The Friends of Tower HamletsCemetery Park wanted to encouragegreater use of the cemetery as asanctuary for people and a place ofbiodiversity whilst protecting andpreserving the history of the site. Thefunding was used to manage the site,including extending pathways forgreater public access and enjoyment,coppicing, replanting trees, weeding,creating information signs andleaflets and running training sessionson woodland development andmanagement. The benefits ofundertaking these works for thepublic are considerable.

Community“The scheme has enabled us to giveour well-established network ofvolunteers the plants and materialsthey need to work most effectively.”

Terry LyleChairFriends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

”Over the years, as the park has developedthrough woodland and biodiversitymanagement, the number of ways thatpeople decide to use the park and involvethemselves has increased. Social andcommunity benefits simply come about as aresult of a sense of ownership as weimprove the park. We are always excited toknow what people will come up with next.”

Kenneth GreenawayTower Hamlets Cemetery Park Liaison OfficerFriends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park

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25 Friends and communitygroups have applied directlyfor funding

86 Friends and communitygroups have worked inpartnership with charities andlocal authorities to deliverprojects

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Health andWellbeing

As part of the Forestry Commission’scommitment to health and wellbeing,the scheme focussed on supportingprojects that were able to demonstratethe role of trees and woodlands indelivering health benefits. Theseranged from physical activity to work inhospital grounds.

St Ann’s Hospital in Tottenham ishome to some of the rarest trees inBritain, many of which haveremarkable fruits. The trees arebelieved to have been planted in the1920’s by a former Kew Gardensworker who chose trees reputed tohave therapeutic value.

The Forestry Commission fundingenabled a group of patients withmental health issues, as well asstaff and tree experts to establishthe Trees of St. Ann’s HospitalProject. This has resulted inactivities such as tree caresessions and fruit pressing, usingapples and pears harvested fromthe trees on the hospital site.

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Patients were able to leave the wardsand participate in events which werecreative, enjoyable and helped to buildknowledge about the trees and theirmany uses.

Community members, along withpatients and staff, attended informativeand inspiring Tree Tours which resultedin the creation of a booklet to celebratehistorical trees on the site. Photographsof the trees have been displayed inwards or waiting rooms and have beenmuch appreciated by all.

”This has been one of the most successfulprojects to take place in the hospital and wegreatly appreciate that the Forestry Commissionhas funded such a ground-breaking scheme.This project has helped to improve theenvironment and people’s wellbeing since thetrees and images of growth and fruits are souplifting or grounding when we are strugglingwith health issues.“

Tamara CapellaroSt Ann’s Hospital Trees Project LeadDay Therapy Department, St Ann’s Hospital

Photographs by Mariade Fatina Compos © Compos & DavisPhotos 2010-11

Fruit pressing at oneof London’s orchards

OlympicLegacy

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Trees and woodlands are an essentialcomponent in creating a sustainablelegacy of the Olympics and supportinglonger term regeneration of theThames Gateway and East London.

“The legacy of the Olympics inLondon should include a greaterunderstanding and improvementof the environment. The ‘Trees forthe Hosts’ project is a fantasticand historic opportunity forschools and children of all agesto be a part of this programmewhich will not only leave alasting legacy but help toenhance the quality of their localcommunities.”

Ron MelvilleDirector LondonForestry Commission

Image by Ian Henghes.Runner up London Tree andWoodland Awards 2010.

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“Rowan class reallyenjoyed it! They’re all verykeen to keep looking afterthe trees, and wereasking me at home timewhen they could waterthem.”

Elena HunnSt John the Baptist Primary SchoolHackney

Trees for the Hosts is an Olympics-inspired tree planting project. LondonWildlife Trust, the Forestry Commissionand London 2012 have teamed up toshowcase the vital importance oftrees and community participation inthe Host Boroughs.

The project is engaging localcommunity groups and schools in theareas integral to London’s green gridnetwork, to include streets, parks,schools, open spaces and areas oftree deficiency. Last year 645students took the lead in improvingtheir school grounds by planting treesto create a better natural environmentfor their school. A total of 1,029 nativetrees and shrubs were planted thatwill not only provide shelter and foodfor wildlife, but will also provideshade and help offset the effects ofclimate change.

London’s Orchards The Forestry Commission hassupported London’s communityorchards. They yield many benefitsincluding supporting communityengagement, food growing andgreening the urban environment, aswell as supporting wildlife habitats.

The London Orchard Project aims tocreate a skilled community ofLondoners to plant, care for andharvest fruit trees, connecting localcommunities and giving increasedaccess to fresh fruit across the capital.The scheme supported the project tocreate new community orchards inpartnership with housing estateresidents, university students, parkuser groups and local authorities,across London.

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“We are very proud of the success of ourproject. Thank you to the ForestryCommission who supported our project fromits earliest days, allowing us to gainexperience and secure match funding forour activities. To date there are 23 urbanorchards, with a further 14 planned for thiswinter.“

Carina MillstoneChief Executive, London Orchard Project

“I am truly delighted about the resultof our planting day. Thank you toeveryone, who joined in to transformthe neglected area.”

SarahLewisham Community volunteer

The Scheme has supported thecreation of over 23 orchards andthe planting of 643 fruit trees

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WoodlandManagement

The effective management ofwoodlands is extremely important forthe long term protection of biodiversityand ensuring resilient ecosystems forassisting with climate adaptation inLondon. Local authorities and friendsgroups have worked together,supported by funding from theForestry Commission to ensure thefuture sustainability of the capital’swoodlands.

The London Borough of Bexleyworking with the local friends groupshas applied for funding woodlandmanagement activities. Bexley has238 hectares of woodland, themajority of which is classed asancient woodland, so it is particularlyimportant for nature conservation andbiodiversity.

The Forestry Commission hassupported a number of projects atFoots Cray Meadows ranging fromtree planting carried out with thefriends group to a restorationcoppicing scheme. To date fundinghas helped to plant 1,300 trees.

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“The work that has beensupported by the RE:LEAFCommunity Grant Schemehas helped to contribute tosuccess of the site.”

Graham MollisonEnvironmental ManagerLondon Borough of Bexley

The Meadows is a special site in theLondon Borough of Bexley. It hasbeen recognised as the best CountryPark in London by London in Bloomfor two years between 2009-2011.

The Scheme has worked withlocal authorities and friendsgroups to help manage andmaintain a total of 1,097hectares of woodlands acrossthe capital.

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Our thanks to everyone who contributed to this publication

Designed by Ernest Muller/Em Associates

Contact020 7922 1230 londonprogrammes@groundwork.org.ukwww.ltwgs.org

Autumn

Rustle rustle rustle, walking through the leaves

Rustle rustle rustle I see trees trees trees.

Twigs leaves falling down, as you walk through the town,

Squirrels burying all their nuts, hibernating for winter.

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)

Winner of the LondonTree and WoodlandAwards photographcompetition 2010, Mark Lee.

Front cover photo:“Climbing Frame” by Sean Harding.