Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet approved funding in July for two new community climate change projects: Free Trees for Town and Parish Councils and the Wilder Communities Project, in partnership with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
In 2019, the District Council declared a climate emergency and three climate ambitions were set to be achieved by 2030. Ambition three is Adaptation 2050. The planting of trees and hedges is an important adaption measure as both provide cooling. Therefore, £50,000 has been allocated to fund the planting of trees for parish and town councils across Stratford-on-Avon District.
Alongside this, £20,000 has been allocated to fund the Wilder Communities project for 2025/2026. The scheme aims to plant trees, hedges and wildflowers in publicly accessible green spaces, enhancing biodiversity in areas which may not have previously had access to funding, and improving local health and wellbeing. This will be delivered in partnership with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, who have previously delivered this project in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, funded by Severn Trent.
The following sites will be eligible for the Wilder Communities project:
- School grounds - primary and secondary
- Playgroup grounds
- Social housing green spaces
- Churchyards
- Playing fields and recreation grounds that are owned by parish and town councils and community centres
- Parks e.g. those owned by District Council
- Village verges and green spaces
- Allotments
- Nursing homes (with public access to a business within the grounds)
- Local community hubs and businesses
- Village Hall and Community Centre grounds
- Shared green space, such as local multi-resident owned land
Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "These schemes will help to improve both biodiversity and adaptation to the effects of climate change across our District. In recent years we have seen declines in many of our plant and animal species, so I welcome the excellent work being done by our parish and town councils. We have already contacted the District's parish and town councils to let them know these projects are available."
