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England Plants Half a Million Trees for Climate Resilience
1 Oct
Summary
- Half a million trees will be planted over three years in England.
- A £79m package will fund tree-planting and local nature recovery strategies.
- Restoring wetlands and natural landscapes is key to managing flood and drought risks.
Over the next three years, England will see half a million trees planted as part of a significant environmental initiative. This £79 million package, announced by Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, includes £53 million dedicated to tree planting and £26 million for local nature recovery strategies. The funds are designated for Mayors, local authorities, charities, and grassroots groups to restore natural habitats such as wetlands, river edges, and meadows.
These restored natural areas are vital for mitigating flood risks and reducing drought severity. Eagle highlighted that thriving natural environments retain more water, lessening drought impacts, and planted trees lower urban temperatures while reducing flood risks. Data from the forestry commission indicates that in the 2024-2025 period, approximately 888,000 trees were planted outside woodlands, alongside the creation of 5,765 hectares of new woodland. This effort also aims to revive England's wetlands, over 90% of which have been lost in the past century.
