The Tree Council welcomes Southend Council as the newest member of the Tree Warden Scheme, after it launched Southend Tree Warden Network this month.
With a target of increasing the city’s canopy cover from 13 per cent to 15 per cent by 2050, the network has had a successful start following inaugural planting events at Eastwood and Bonchurch Parks.
Edd Gillan, Southend’s arboricultural officer and new tree warden network coordinator, was joined on one of the days by pupils from West Leigh Junior School and Lydia Hyde, councillor for climate, environment, and waste.
She said: “We know residents care deeply about our city’s trees, and the Tree Warden Network is a great way for people to get involved in looking after them.
“Our tree officers do a brilliant job, and with volunteers supporting them, we can protect and enhance Southend’s green spaces for future generations.”
The Tree Council and Southend Council also hosted an introductory event for prospective tree wardens at Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre. After an induction by Edd Gillan and The Tree Council’s Sam Village and Charlie Knowles, attendees headed out into Belfairs Wood where James Chambers from the Ancient Tree Forum Essex group demonstrated some of the key features to look for in ancient trees. The tour included old coppice sites that are being brought back into management by Essex Wildlife Trust, who will benefit from the assistance of the Southend Tree Warden Network.
Belfair Wood is also home to a colony of dormice. The 30 or so attendees were treated to a special viewing of a dormouse nest by a licenced dormice handler from the Southend Dormouse Group, who explained how the woods support the species.
The Tree Council’s Tree Warden Scheme is a UK-wide network of volunteer tree champions who plant, protect and promote their local trees. There are currently around sixty local authority-led and independently-run networks affiliated to the scheme.
Southend residents interested in joining the Southend Tree Warden Network can email email treewardens@southend.gov.uk for more information.
