A fund of £50,000 is being made available in South Yorkshire to encourage people in the region to plant more trees.
The Tree for Everyone Grant Fund is part of the Million Trees project, and is available to anyone living in the region who would like to plant trees on land where planting rights are secured, and where the trees will provide a public benefit and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Grants will be awarded in amounts of between £250 and £2,500, with the Fund being managed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said the aim was to plant 1.4 million trees, one for every person who lives in South Yorkshire.
“Trees enrich our lives,” Mr Coppard said. “They sustain our communities and provide countless environmental benefits. They are both our heritage and our future, so I’m looking forward to working with our communities across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield to create a healthier, wealthier, greener and cleaner South Yorkshire.”
For almost 40 years, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) has invested millions of pounds in community groups and organizations to address important social issues and improve lives across the region.
SYCF’s head of philanthropy and programmes Michelle Dickinson said that planting trees was a simple but powerful way to help create a healthier and more resilient community.
“Utilizing our strong relationships with community groups and networks across the region,” Ms Dickinson said, “we’ll work to encourage participation in key areas. We’re proud to partner with Oliver Coppard and his team on this unique project, which promises to leave a lasting, positive impact on our region - both now and for future generations.”
