Grants of between £250,000 to £500,000 will be available to projects that can increase woodland cover, and which support the Government's England Trees Action Plan.
At least three awards are expected to be new regional woodland creation partnerships.
To increase capacity and skills in the forestry sector, the fund also invites projects to engage people with trees, increase access to woodland, create new jobs and develop skills and knowledge.
The £6m Trees Call to Action Fund will be targeted at regions, activities and costs which cannot be supported through other Defra grants.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund are distributing the Trees Call to Action Fund on behalf of Defra's Nature for Climate Fund Programme, working in partnership with Forestry Commission.
Organisations that can help deliver the Government’s vision for trees at regional and national scales are encouraged to apply. Applicants will need to set out how their proposals can deliver over the next three years.
The fund will be open to applications from partnerships led by:
- environmental charities
- environmental not-for-profit organisations
- local authorities
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Park Authorities
Projects should contribute to multiple England Trees Action Plan objectives, which comprise:
- expanding and connecting our trees and woodlands
- trees and woodlands as part of the green economy
- protecting and improving our trees and woodlands
- connecting people with trees and woodlands
Lord Goldsmith, Minister for the Environment, said: “With the climate change summit COP26 just days away, there has never been a more important time for trees and tree planting.
“This new fund will help fund regional and national partnerships of charities, local authorities and others to turn ambitions into actions, to engage communities and landowners in tree planting, and to develop skills to help deliver our England Trees Action Plan.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The Heritage Fund, said: “Trees are a critical part of our natural heritage. From capturing carbon emissions to mitigating pollution, they play a vital role in protecting and enhancing our landscape for all generations to enjoy.
“We are delighted to support this new Trees Call to Action Fund which will enable partnerships to create woodlands, enhancing our beautiful countryside and providing a huge benefit to our wildlife and our health and wellbeing, as well as helping to combat the impacts of climate change.”
Richard Stanford, Forestry Commission Chief Executive, said: “To meet the climate and biodiversity crises we need to grow and manage more trees – this needs to be done as a national effort so we are better connecting people with nature and creating more green jobs. This fund will have a hugely important role in helping us realise these ambitions, as set out in the England Trees Action Plan.
“I would urge any prospective applicant to apply, together we will grow trees, woods and forests to make our nation more resilient for future generations.”
Full application guidance will be published on our website when the fund opens on 3 November 2021. Applicants will then have until 12 noon on 16 November 2021 to submit an Expression of Interest.
Sign up for the support webinar for applicants on 5 November, 11am-12pm to find out more about the fund.
