Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet has approved £27,938 from the Climate Change Reserves, in order to deliver the Community Climate Resilient Orchard Programme, as well as the Back to Nature Pond Community Programme, by the Heart of England Forest. 

The Community Climate Resilient Orchard Programme will establish a new orchard at Oak Tree Wood in Sambourne, which will create the opportunity for the Heart of England Forest to run a programme of volunteer and youth engagement activities at the site in the future.

The Programme will receive £15,388 to deliver 60 fruit trees, installation of project materials, including tree protection fencing, tree guards and supports, root grow, mulch mats and wood chips.

This funding will support the creation of a new community orchard featuring 60 heritage fruit trees and around half a hectare of enhanced wildlife habitat, providing valuable nectar sources for pollinators and long-term habitats for birds, mammals, fungi and invertebrates. The project will also help tackle the impacts of climate change by increasing shade and local cooling, improving water infiltration, reducing surface water runoff and capturing carbon through new tree planting. Up to 30 local residents and young people will have the opportunity to take part in orchard planting days, helping to build community connections and lay the foundations for future volunteer-led stewardship.

The £12,550 grant will fund the Back to Nature Pond Community Programme. This project will serve as an extension to the Back to Nature Pond Project, which aims to survey, restore and enhance a network of ponds across Stratford-on-Avon District within the Heart of England Forest sites.

Participants in this Programme, will learn how to create and manage small-scale ponds and wetland habitats. The workshops will demonstrate how these approaches can be applied in domestic gardens, allotments, schools, churchyards and community spaces.

Councillor Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "We welcome a programme that aims to build community knowledge, increase volunteer activities and develop educational programmes for school pupils on the benefits of supporting natural habitats."