Last updated: October 2021
Since introducing the Tree Strategy, the Reading Council has working closely with partners and local people to promote the importance and benefit of trees. Work has included a (street) tree planting scheme. Reading has a committed Tree Warden Network (which has the objectives to e.g. engage the community and raise awareness of trees in neighbourhoods). (Ref. 1, 2)
Reading Tree Wardens
Source: Ref.1
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Maintenance and management of urban nature
Project objectives
Objectives for the scheme (with regards to the Tree Strategy) include: reinforcing and increasing tree canopy coverage across the Borough.
Priority areas included the following: areas where there was 10% or less existing canopy cover; in designated Conservation Areas; other areas where highway trees were acknowledged as an integral feature of the character of the area; on the wooded ridges which were a distinctive part of the landscape character of Reading (Ref. 3).
Also, as a method of community engagement, a co-ordinated force of volunteers was created committed to the care of trees in their neighbourhoods (Ref. 1). The Council has worked with groups/residents on the tree-planting scheme since trees “maintain and enhance biodiversity, provide shade, cut the effects of urban heat and make neighbourhoods happier, healthier and more beautiful places”. (Ref. 2)
Implementation activities
Planting new trees to replacing street trees that have to be felled due to age or poor condition; including the 13 cherry trees along Silverthorne Road and Sandcroft Road in Mapledurham, the council’s tally: about 40 new trees, and a dozen were planted along pavements on Oxford Road; 20 plane trees planted along Richfield Avenue through the council’s link with Trees for Cities (which volunteers were invited to attend a demonstration on how to plant trees). Residents were part of a (then) newly launched Tree Warden Network who want to care for their local trees. (Ref. 4)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore ecological connectivity
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Reading Borough Council had agreed on a programme of capital funding for two years for tree planting to start the implementation of the tree strategy. (Ref. 3) Working in the partnership are: Tree Council, Trees for Cities and Reading Borough Council. (Ref. 1) Residents/volunteers were invited to participate in the tree planting. (Ref. 4)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The Tree Strategy was implemented in response to: "the Government encourages local authorities to produce tree strategies to promote the management and enhancement of the tree population in their areas". (Ref. 5) )
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(The intervention is in response to the Tree Strategy which was adopted by Reading Borough Council in 2010. (Ref. 2, 3, 4) )
Financing
Total cost
€50,000 - €100,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved liveability
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved mental health
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
References
Ref. 1. Reading Tree Wardens (n.d.) Welcome to the Reading Tree Wardens website. Home. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 2. Reading Borough Council (2011) New Trees Being Planted. News article. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 3. Reading Borough Council (2020) Reading Borough Council Tree Strategy 2020. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 4. Get Reading (2011) Council to plant 100 new trees. Cherry trees will be planted in Mapledurham today as part of a scheme to replace street trees across the borough. Information updated: 2013. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 5. Reading Borough Council (2010) Tree Strategy for Reading. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 6. Reading Council (2006) The Reading Biodiversity Action Plan (2005-2015). Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 2. Reading Borough Council (2011) New Trees Being Planted. News article. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 3. Reading Borough Council (2020) Reading Borough Council Tree Strategy 2020. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 4. Get Reading (2011) Council to plant 100 new trees. Cherry trees will be planted in Mapledurham today as part of a scheme to replace street trees across the borough. Information updated: 2013. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 5. Reading Borough Council (2010) Tree Strategy for Reading. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Ref. 6. Reading Council (2006) The Reading Biodiversity Action Plan (2005-2015). Available at: Source link. Accessed on 12th September, 2020.
Reading Tree Wardens
Source: Ref.1
Reading Tree Wardens
Source: Ref.1