St.Helens newsletter, Autumn 2014



The Mersey Forest
St Helens update / Autumn 2014 What is The Mersey Forest?
In this issue
// Welcome
// £6 for every £1 invested: 2013/14 in figures
LOCAL NEWS
// St Helens golf course blooms
// Taste of nature for St Helens shoppers
// More walking and cycling routes planted with trees this winter
FOREST-WIDE NEWS
// Urban Forestry Workshop discusses trees and flood risk
// Woodland vision wins top planning award
// New season for Big Tree Plant
Welcome

It's been a busy 2014 for The Mersey Forest team, and as autumn approaches, we're looking forward to an action-packed tree planting season and New Year.

 

In January we launched our guiding strategic document, The Mersey Forest Plan. The development of the Plan, which is recognised as a legal consideration by the government, brought together people from across our broad and diverse partnership to form a shared vision of greener, well-wooded Merseyside and North Cheshire. Its launch coincided with the Forest passing its nine-millionth tree mark - a key achievement for The Mersey Forest Partnership.

 

It's also been great to see the work of the partnership recognised at an international and national level this year with awards and commendations for the Forest Plan, our work in woodland management and community engagement, and with Mersey Forest team member Susannah Gill awarded European Young Forester of the Year.

 

We also recognise that resources for projects and programmes remains tight or is getting tighter. The Partnership continues to look for ways to broaden our funding base and continue the work to get "more from trees".

Cllr Anthony Johnson
Member for The Mersey Forest, St Helens Council
Pat McCloskey
Chair, The Mersey Forest Partnership
2013/14 in figures
Every £1 invested
creates £6 impact

The Mersey Forest continues to provide great value for money. Local authorities gained £6 worth of green projects for every £1 they invested in The Mersey Forest in 2013/14.

 

The local authorities' combined annual contribution of £167,481 led to the delivery of £1.7 million of projects right here on our doorsteps thanks to the way The Mersey Forest Team levers in extra funds.

St Helens highlights

2522 trees planted in St Helens to increase the area's tree cover

150m of new hedgerow planted, creating an important habitat for wildlife

88ha of woodland managed to ensure its future health

Latest local news
St Helens golf course blooms

A St Helens golf club has transformed its grounds after receiving funding to make environmental improvements.

Read more...
Taste of nature for St Helens shoppers

Local organisations brought a taste of Bold Forest Park into St Helens town centre in a family event on Saturday 26 September.

 

Read more...
More walking and cycling routes planted with trees this winter

Hundreds of street trees are set to be planted in St Helens this winter to improve walking and cycling routes in the borough.

Read more...
Forest-wide news
Urban Forestry Workshop discusses trees and flood risk

A workshop has discussed the benefits that trees can bring with regards to water management in urban areas.

Read more...
Woodland vision wins top planning award

The Mersey Forest Plan has been hailed as the most innovative planning achievement in the North West of 2014 by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Read more...
New season for Big Tree Plant

The Mersey Forest is now taking applications from community groups for tree planting schemes during the 2014-15 season as part of Big Tree Plant.

Read more...
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Get in touch

mail@merseyforest.org.uk

01925 816217

www.merseyforest.org.uk