Volunteers have been planting hundreds of trees and metres of hedgerow across the region.
Throughout the winter months, Hull-based charity The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) has been planting trees and hedgerows to preserve habitats, repair areas of the countryside that have been damaged, and build new community spaces.
Hull TCV has partnered with the Humber Forest, an initiative that sees the charity work with local landowners and volunteers to help preserve the environment by identifying areas in need of attention. The charity helps by providing access to a range of funding and partners who source a variety of trees, shrubbery, plants and more.
Humber Forest, supported by the Defra Nature for Climate Fund, is the community forest for Hull, the East Riding and North Lincolnshire. It is one of 15 community forests across England and part of the larger Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast.
In recent months, Hull TCV volunteers have been seen in towns and villages across the region, such as Patrington and Withernsea, where they have planted hundreds of trees and hundreds of metres of native hedgerows that had been damaged by storms. It is hoped that by repairing the hedgerows, they will act as windbreaks, help wildlife and aid flood alleviation.
The charity says it works with a range of volunteers who help them deliver their projects while gaining experience and making new friends.
Spokeswoman Kayley said: “Every Monday to Thursday, we go out to private and public land that has been funded and supported by Humber Forest.
“We have a volunteer network that includes people from students who may be at college doing their work experience to students at university.
“We also work with people who are retired and wanting a bit of a routine, as well as people looking for career changes and wanting to gain skills.”
The Conservation Volunteers are looking for more volunteers to help them across the East Riding. Anyone can join – no experience is needed.
For more information, visit the TCV Hull and Humber Facebook page or contact them at [email protected].
Humber Forest would also like to hear from landowners and land managers in Holderness and surrounding areas who are interested in planting trees on their land.
The team provides grants to cover up to 100 per cent funding for planting, protection and establishment for a variety of tree-planting schemes. This includes woodland, hedgerow, shelter belts and wood pasture.
Planting trees can provide a range of benefits for landowners while retaining land in production. Trees provide shade and shelter for livestock, work as a natural form of flood management, help manage soil and nutrient losses, and boost biodiversity.
Landowners keen to plant trees, woodland or hedgerow can contact Humber Forest via humberforest.org or email [email protected].