Community tree planting is widely recognised as an important nature-based response to climate impacts and a creative approach to raising awareness of climate change. However, the design of tree planting initiatives often focus on a one-off event, rather than considering the life-cycle of trees and the possibilities this offers for long- term community engagement with the climate and biodiversity crises. Coastal Community Growing Together (CCGT) aimed to broaden the potential of tree planting initiatives by addressing the need for on-going community engagement with climate actions.
Coastal communities are at significant risk of climate impacts such as coastal erosion or flood damage and community involvement in local climate actions, such as tree planting, are an important collective response. How can we tackle these subjects with the community in a positive way with meaningful and visible results?
The Coastal Community Growing Together project launched in April 2021 providing native species free of charge to schools, community groups and councils along the Milford Haven Waterway, along with guidance and support on the selection, planting, and maintenance of the trees. CCAT teamed up with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Tir Coed who provided their knowledge and expertise to deliver this partnership project as well as some hands-on support with the practical aspects of tree planting.
The project provided schools with an outdoor education opportunity, and participants will not only gain an understanding of how to select and plant appropriate trees, but a deeper understanding of their care and maintenance ensuring their survival and ongoing role in the climate fightback for generations to come.
In line with the new curriculum for Wales, trees offer an ongoing source of education opportunities, indoors and out. Schools and community groups along the Milford Haven Waterway took full advantage of the support and resources available ensuring they got the most out of the experience, receiving guidance and training from partner organisations.
The communities increased their knowledge of native tree species, understanding of the role of trees in local carbon sequestration and were inspired to continue to tackle climate change in their daily lives. They also increased their understanding of how to select appropriate trees and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of considering the role of biodiversity in the climate adaption for generations to come.
Whilst the immediate and obvious results of reducing carbon dioxide via tree planting is typically a form of mitigation, this project includes both adaptation and mitigation. Ecosystem restoration is important for humanity moving forward, therefore supporting social and habitual adaptations in tree planting will help us transition to a more sustainable way of life.
Countering soil erosion, creating shade, habitat restoration and increasing biodiversity all help build resilience in natural systems and society, achieved by selecting the right trees and maintaining them as part of a transition to a more sustainable way of life.
The project, during social distancing measures, developed a web app that combines local area maps and multimedia content to promote learning about nature-based solutions and enable communities to identify the best locations for their tree planting. CCGT created a web app to raise awareness of climate change, help communities map nature-based climate action and the community response dashboard to deepen their understanding of the climate and biodiversity benefits of their involvement.
Over 950 people participated in the initiative, which included 12 schools and 12 community groups in Pembrokeshire. Participant groups were provided with a range of resources to help them learn about different native tree species and to choose the best sites to plant them as part of a nature-based approach to tackling climate change. The interactive tools allow the participants to monitor and understand the real-time benefits of their tree planting for the environment, in terms that are relevant to their everyday experience.
Over 1,930 native tree species were planted as part of the local community response to the effects of climate change in the case study area. This equates to 392,190 kg of carbon sequestered over a 10 year period with 25 new habitats created and enhanced for 172 wildlife species.
Trees for Change Carbon Calculator
In response to the significant local appetite for the CCAT Coastal Communities Growing Together initiative, CCAT developed a locally relevant, bilingual carbon calculator. This built on the success of the Coastal Communities Growing Together initiative by providing the community with a method to continue their climate adaptation journey.
As with the CCGT, this calculator also includes both adaptation and mitigation. It does this by reinforcing the need to adapt and providing an insight into an individual’s energy use and carbon footprint. It also emphasises the messages and learning from the project – planting the right tree in the right place is crucial.
The tool was developed in response to both the significant local appetite for the Coastal Communities Growing Together project and as a way to build on the project’s success by providing the community with a helpful method to continue their climate adaptation journey.
The tool will -
• calculate the amount of carbon captured by trees already existing or trees you have/intend to plant.
• It will also tell you what the equivalent amount of carbon corresponds to in familiar experiences like local journeys, scrolling social media, boiling the kettle.
• It will then give examples of the species that your trees will provide habitats for.
• Finally, the results page will direct you to some tips for reducing your carbon footprint.
The calculator goes on to support social and habitual adaptations by understanding the bigger picture described above. Countering soil erosion, creating shade, habitat restoration and increasing biodiversity all help build resilience in natural systems and society. It’s all interconnected – ecosystem restoration is important for humanity moving forward, and tree planting will help us transition to a more sustainable way of life.
Testimonials
“The area the school chose is part of a wider project. This work will also contribute to improving the mental health of pupils, students and staff.” Nick Makin, School Business Manager, Henry Tudor School, Milford Haven, Wales.
“A shame the pupils couldn’t get physically involved in the planting in the end but completely understandable given the current Covid restrictions. Tom (Bean, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) did a great job chatting with the children and they are very keen to get a rota set up for watering! We’ve explained that they will be in charge of watering every day. We gave them a good soaking after school today and the children will keep this up for us.” Gemma McKnight, School Teacher, Gelliswick CiW VC Primary School, Wales.
“I’ve been around most of the schools and it's great to see the trees have established nicely - the careful planting and watering seems to have paid off. The apple tree orchard at Coastlands is a lovely space and has been enjoyed by them all while the trees have been full of blossom. One day I pulled up there and looking over I just saw the nursery class all sat around a flowery tree on the grass with their snacks and the teachers sitting off to the side on a makeshift bench.. a picture of calm and contentment, not to mention a really positive engagement with the resource that you helped provide.” Tom Bean, Education Officer, Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales.
“The children have enjoyed planting the trees and have done a lot of work in class around the project.” Sian Taylor, School Teacher, Pennar Community School, Wales.