TREE planting and flood defence in Warwickshire have been boosted by a £71,800 grant from the Environment Agency.
The windfall will fund a Warwickshire Wildlife Trust project to plant native trees at 16 sites within the Avon catchment as part of natural flood management schemes.
The grant is part of a £3.9million UK-wide project which will see hundreds of thousands of new trees planted, including in towns and cities and near rivers to reduce flood risk.
it includes a £1.4million ‘woodlands for water’ scheme – 15 projects to plant over 850,000 trees that will protect around 160km of river and help to reduce the risk of flooding to over 500 properties.
Tree planting can reduce flood risk by slowing the flow of water to nearby communities. Tree planting near watercourses can also act as a buffer for agricultural pollution and improve water quality.
Gina Rowe, living landscapes manager with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is very pleased to have secured this funding to support partners working with farmers and local volunteer groups to plant new woodland areas and restore numerous hedgerows across Warwickshire.
‘The work will improve water and soil retention across the catchments as part of Natural Flood Management projects, support tackling climate change and enhance and reconnect habitats for wildlife at a landscape scale.
“We are working with many farmers, who are key to delivery of this work – we could not achieve this project without their keenness to support such initiatives.”
She said tree planting was one of the most effective natural measures in helping reduce flood risk to vulnerable communities by reducing and slowing the flow of water.
She added: “In addition to the vital role in capturing additional carbon, tree planting near watercourses can also act as a buffer for agricultural pollution, create habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, and help regenerate rural and urban areas through tourism.
“The funding will help to plant and protect vital and resilient trees in our landscapes, contribute to tackling the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, and support England’s contribution to the UK-wide ambition to increase woodland cover.”
Chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd, said: “This £1.4 million fund is one part of the wide range of measures to improve the nation’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
“The projects chosen will provide invaluable benefits to communities and our environment – from reducing flood risk and protecting homes, to capturing carbon, improving water quality and encouraging biodiversity.”
