Trees for Shade
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Since 2006-07 we have been able to offer small grants for tree
planting under our Trees for Shade scheme. This ended in 2009-10
but thanks to generous support from Southern Water, the scheme
relaunched in 2011-12 and will continue into 2012-13. Initial
promotion will be to schools and through tree wardens but if you
have a potential scheme in mind on public land that would benefit
from trees for shade, for example, a recreation area, park or
public open space contact us on 01243 642119.
Trees for Shade scheme aims
In 2006 in the UK, soaring temperatures caused sports days to be
cancelled because of the heat and lack of shade in school grounds.
With climate change and the likelihood of increasingly hot summers,
shade trees are vital and planting them is an important investment
for the future.
The aim of the scheme is to highlight the importance of trees
and woodlands, their role in the environment and adapting to
climate change. Under the scheme tree planting grants are offered
for school grounds, local council parks and gardens, community
green spaces and through our tree wardens.
To avoid the heat and the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, shade
is needed where people congregate; places where we meet friends,
have lunch, play, relax and enjoy the fresh air, including school
grounds. Trees provide long term, environmentally friendly and
attractive shade.
A tree can:
- reduce heating and cooling costs both indoors and out, thus
saving carbon;
- drop the summer temperatures under its canopy by up to 10
degrees;
- help reduce the incidence of skin cancer; and
- reduce heat reflected from paved areas.
The County Council recognises the need to reduce carbon emissions
and Trees for Shade is part of a WSCC carbon saving scheme
alongside initiatives such as Travelwise
and the Walk to School campaign.
Trees for Shade 2009-10
Last year, 145 trees were planted in 15 schemes - 5 schools, 2
highway schemes and 8 were community and open space
plantings.
Trees for Shade 2008-09
16 schemes were supported. Of these, 5 were schools, 7 were
highway schemes and the remainder were community schemes, for
example, recreation areas and parks. In all, 174 trees were
planted.
Trees for Shade 2007–08
The Council linked the annual Walk to School Week initiative
(which itself contributes significantly to reducing carbon
production by changing travel patterns) to extra support for those
schools taking part to additionally benefit from the Trees for
Shade project. Altogether, 58 schemes were supported in this year
resulting in 605 trees planted. Of these schemes, 25 were on routes
to schools, 7 were other highway schemes, 4 on footpaths, 13
schools and the rest were community and open spaces.
Trees for Shade 2006-07
The first Trees for Shade pilot was supported by ESPACE. This
resulted in 20 schemes organised by tree wardens with 291 trees
planted and 122 trees planted in 27 schools. Altogether, 66 schools
made applications, with 36 schools requiring significant further
help to implement their schemes.
Building on the continued promotion of the Travel Wise campaign
and aiming to minimise carbon impact, the County Council decided to
mitigate its inevitable carbon production. This was through
collection of a ‘carbon saving contribution’ of £7.50 per tonne of
carbon produced through County Council business mileage. The money
was then re-invested in further carbon saving initiatives,
including the Trees for Shade project.
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