The Pilot Advisory Group (PAG) brings together representatives from every region to discuss how to further develop the Tree Warden Scheme. The group met three times in 2019 – on 19th March in London, 28th June in Birmingham and 6th December in Oxford. Here’s a summary of the three meetings which took place in 2019. To review the aims of this group for the Tree Warden Scheme, read the Terms of Reference for the group here.
Overview of the Tree Warden Scheme in 2019
Awareness of trees has never been so high, making it a very busy year for Tree Wardens across the country. Many networks are receiving enquiries re setting up new groups which is hugely encouraging. The Tree Council have worked hard alongside many networks to support them in their work, including ash dieback events, developing funding bids, walks, talks and providing advice and guidance.
Brand update
The Tree Council updated the PAG on our work to refresh the brand identity of The Tree Council and have consulted widely on a new logo which, subject to final tweaks, has now been approved. We will now be working on the application of the new brand on the Tree Warden Scheme – there’ll be more news on this in January. A new, more accessible Tree Council website is in development and will be launched in the new year with improved Tree Warden resources. We’ll be on the look-out for case studies of Tree Warden projects as well as seeking ongoing feedback on the Tree Warden area of the site to make sure it helps you in your great work.
National Tree Warden training update
At the National Coordinator Workshop a couple of weeks ago, we worked with participants to analyse different training resources and discussed what a new training offer might look like. At PAG, we agreed a core training syllabus to be developed in the new year for all Tree Wardens, thanks to a grant of £20,000 from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. The pros and cons of formal accredited training were discussed and it was agreed that this should be explored further. Developing training materials for the core syllabus is a priority and the Tree Council will take the lead in moving this forward ahead of the next PAG meeting in spring 2020.
National Tree Week Round up
It’s been a hugely successful National Tree Week this year. Inspired by a lively national conversation on trees and tree planting, people, organisations and communities around the country planted trees in possibly the highest numbers since Plant A Tree in ’73. Our partnership with the Daily Mail, working with charity partners including Trees for Cities, TCV, the Woodland Trust, National Forest and the Orchard Project, has raised over £250,000 so far for tree planting projects around the country and allowed us to work with the Mail to raise the profile of trees in the paper and online on an almost daily basis.
The future of PAG
After a productive first year, it was decided that the PAG should continue for a further year with clearly defined objectives and priorities. Every regional representative was keen to continue in their role. The role of deputies was discussed and it was agreed that they would be invited to re-stand if they wished or they could take a step back and allow someone else to pick up the role if they preferred. We also agreed to redefine some of the Regions slightly. The Terms of Reference of the group still stand and will be recirculated and updated for 2020. If Tree Wardens have any thoughts or comments on the priorities for PAG next year, please get in touch with your regional representative or Director of Programmes, Partnerships and Comms, Clare Bowen. via email.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all the PAG representatives and deputies for their dedication, time and valuable input this year.
The full minutes of the third meeting can be viewed here.
A reminder of your PAG representatives:
| Region | Lead | Deputy |
| East Anglia | John Fleetwood, Broadland | Kevin Mason, Epping Forest District |
| South West | Spencer Keys, South Hams, Sidmouth Arboretum & East Devon | Nick Cooper, Cornwall |
| South East | Julie Bolton, West Sussex | Mary Parker, East Sussex |
| South Central | Dick Walters, Eastleigh | Malinda Griffin, Havant Borough |
| West Midlands | Diane Woodward, Walsall, Coventry & Warwick | Deborah Needle, Birmingham |
| East Midlands | Sam Village, Leicestershire | Richard Ellison, Leicestershire |
| North | Dave Ellwand, Wirral | Colin Horton, East Lindsey |
| Wales | Mike Higgins, Pembrokeshire Coast | N/A |
| Scotland | Catherine Lloyd, Perth & Kinross | Julia Henriksson, Perth & Kinross |