More Trees BANES

A member of the Bath community

About More Trees BANES

  • We have a simple aim of increasing the number of trees in our local area.

  • We are a non-profit community group reliant on public donations, fundraising and grants.

  • We think trees are ace. We want more trees. How about you?

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We're Hiring!

Beyond excited ...

We're delighted to announce that we are hiring for our first paid position, through our partnership with Grow Yourself CIC (GY). The position is for a Community Tree Nursery Co-ordinator, and you can view the ad here.

We're looking for someone with a passion for trees and/or growing, who is a strong communicator and well organised. There is still a week to go until the closing date, so please spread the word and consider applying yourself if you have the skills we need.

For those not yet in the know, GY has been delivering horticultural training to young unemployed adults in Bath since 2015 and have helped many get back into work. Their gardening services enterprise has a strong client base in Bath and will continue to run alongside the Urban Garden centre, which launched earlier this year. I have the honour of serving as a Non-Executive Director there, as well as chairing More Trees BANES. In my various discussions with the GY Director Matt Smail, we realised there would be mutual benefit to partnering both organisations.

Our vision is for a network of Community Tree Nurseries across BANES. Our initial target is to grow at least 5,000 trees from locally collected seed each year. Trees are our strongest warriors in the fight against climate change. Growing and nurturing trees will also improve the physical and mental well-being of those involved in the project. The project will set communities of people off on a journey of discovery around the process of growing trees, from seed to sapling to siting. It will build community cohesion, joining up people who want to help in their own small way.

This project will reduce the carbon footprint of tree planting, reduce biosecurity risks from imported trees, increase genetic diversity, whilst bringing communities together to take positive action on the ecological and climate emergencies. We have set up two nurseries already, and have a number of other possible locations and a growing groundswell of support for the project. Once we have proved the concept in BANES, we plan to secure additional funding to scale the idea nationally.

In 2020 More Trees BANES helped community groups to set up 2 tree nurseries, one in Whiteway, and one in Bathampton. The project has relied on volunteers up until now but so much more can be done with a paid Coordinator and funding for materials such as fencing and timber for raised beds. We've successfully raised £24,000 of the £31,000 we need, so watch this space for a fundraising campaign to make up the shortfall!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our funders so far - Roper Rhodes, National Lottery Awards for All, Ninevah Trust, Restore our Planet and Bath in Bloom.

Thanks for coming on this journey with us. Feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions or ideas for our project, or if perhaps you have space for a nursery yourself?

Adam

Community Tree Nurseries

There are huge plans afoot for vast numbers of trees to be planted in BANES and across the country. BANES Council wants to plant 100,000 trees before May 2023. Wessex Water are part of a national plan to plant 11M trees by 2030. Avon Needs Trees have bought 34 acres for planting and want to do more. Loads of businesses wish to become carbon neutral.

We applaud all of these organisations and are delighted that there is such a groundswell of desire to plant trees, and money being made available. However, we have a question, and it’s a big question – where are all these trees going to come from? Many commercial nurseries are expanding, but even so - they won’t be able to keep up with demand.

What has happened in the past is lots of trees get imported from other countries, bringing with it all sorts of problems, Ash Dieback disease being a case in point.

To help all these tree planting projects, we want to get everyone growing trees. We envisage every school setting aside an area as a tree nursery. How about places of worship, gardening groups, local authorities, parish councils, social housing landlords, businesses and local residents? We want to create a network of mini community nurseries, where trees can be grown from seed and cuttings. It might be as small scale as half a raised veg bed in someone’s garden, to something much bigger where people have the space. With a bit of organisation and cross-working with all groups, we should be able to supply a significant number of trees for little or no money at all.

Climate change is the biggest threat to human life on this planet - clearly overshadowed by another threat at the moment - but whereas we hope Covid-19 will be solved in a matter of months, climate change is going to be a perpetual challenge for us to get our heads round for the foreseeable future, for human life to sustain itself. Tree planting isn’t the only solution, but it’s a vital part of what needs to be done.

Think about the monumental community effort in the UK at the moment, responding to the global pandemic. BANES 3SG has signed up over 2,500 volunteers to help people through the pandemic. Nationally, 1,000,000 volunteers have come forward to help people in this time of need. We need this kind of mobilisation to help grow trees and other activities to reverse climate change before it’s too late, and our children inherit an uninhabitable world.

During the second world war, there was the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign, where even the lawns outside the Tower of London were turned into veg beds, and right now, people are growing loads more fruit and vegetables in their gardens and sharing plants etc. Let’s do this also for trees, and help these amazing organisations hit their tree planting targets!

So what do we need?

Space.

We need to find space to grow trees. This could be an underused raised bed or poly tunnel where someone had intended to grow some veg, but never got round to it. It could be a lawn that you’re bored of mowing. It could be the corner of a field within a school, or an area of a farm. It could be some council-owned land that is under-utilised. It could be in a factory carpark, tended by the people who work there. We want a network of mini nurseries of all sizes.

Volunteers.

Each mini nursery will need to be managed by someone. We can provide advice and support, and if we get any funding, then we can supply materials. There may be someone who has a space but no time to manage it – we can put them in touch with someone who has time but no space.

This is going to require a lot of admin and organisation on our part. Ideally we’d like to automate this as much as possible through a website, otherwise we will be slowed down by manual processes and bottle necks as we are run purely by volunteers who do this in their spare time, as well as juggling families, careers and studies. So if there is anyone who thinks they could help us with a website that is more than just a brochure, we’d love to hear from them. Or if you could help us with the admin and organising, that would be really welcome. Most of this could be done at the end of a phone/laptop.

Knowledge.

We have some experience of growing trees ourselves, but frankly we’ve bought 10 for every 1 that we’ve grown, so we would welcome anyone with experience of growing trees, particularly at scale. Perhaps there is a commercial tree nursery or garden centre that would be interested in partnering with us on this.

Funding.

One of the beautiful things about this idea is that it could be done with no money at all. However, funding would help us achieve more, sooner. Funding could pay for the website if no suitable pro bono offers come along. Funding could provide materials for us to supply to schools and local groups e.g. reference books, compost, seeds, tools, raised beds, netting etc. If we got some really decent funding, we could recruit someone to co-ordinate everything. We need public donations, grant-making organisations with relevant schemes, commercial sponsorship and anyone who wants to fundraise for us.

Networkers.

Maybe you can’t do any of these things, but you know someone who might be able to help. Please put them in touch with us. Spread the word.

So you can support us in so many ways. Please get in touch.

LET'S DIG! :-)

How do we want to be remembered?

We were very inspired by hearing Greta Thunberg address the huge crowd in Bristol yesterday. You can watch her speech here.

The bit that really struck a chord with me was "There will be a time when we will look back, and ask ourselves what we did, right now. How do we want to be remembered?"

How about being remembered for being a part of a huge tree planting initiative? How about helping More Trees BANES scale up and achieve much more than it already doing? How about helping the council achieve their target of planting 100,000 trees in 3 years?

We can't do this on our own. We need your help.

We've started having a monthly MeetUp, which is a great chance for you to learn what we've been up to, and what we have planned. We are keen to get your input and ideas, and if you want to get involved in helping us to organise ourselves, this is a great way to connect.

At the very least, you can meet like-minded people in the fab surroundings of The Bell :-)

Speaking personally, I want to be able to look my children in the eye and confidently tell them I did all I could. Tree planting alone won't solve climate change, but it's a vital part of the effort required.

Come and join us and take positive action now.

Adam x

Picture courtesy of Bristol Post, article here.
When
10 Mar 2020 at 7:00pm
until 10 Mar 2020 at 8:30pm
Where
The Bell Inn
103 Walcot Street
Bath
BA1 5BW

Bloomfield set to Bloom Even More

*MOTHERS DAY TREE PLANTING*

COME AND HELP PLANT BLOOMFIELD GREEN COMMUNITY ORCHARD!

What better gift on Mother's Day than a fruit tree that will feed us for generations and absorb carbon from the atmosphere, increase biodiversity and benefit water cycles ... :-D

This is a significant orchard, with trees donated by the youth climate strikers (during the November Strike) to each individual cabinet member in our local council, accepted as a symbol of their commitment to the climate emergency. A climate emergency fruit and nut orchard ... come along and be part of it and be part of the solution to the climate emergency!!

We need fruit and nut orchards dotted around Bath, and this is the start of it. Let's create the more beautiful, productive and green city we know is possible.

We will provide tools and gloves, but feel free to bring your own.

If you live locally and would like to get involved in the residents group for orchard care, to look after this orchard in the years to come (and enjoy its abundant harvest!), send us a message and we will link you up!
When
22 Mar 2020 at 11:00am
until 22 Mar 2020 at 2:30pm
Where
54 Bloomfield Road
Bath
Bath and north east Somerset
BA2 2

Fundraise for us this April and we could win up to £1,000

We use Local Giving to collect online donations and gift aid payments. Their Local Hero competition will be returning this April. Last year, they had their most successful campaign to date, with over 450 fundraisers raising £160,000 on behalf of 209 local groups. They expect this year to be even bigger!

During April, the top 20 fundraisers on Localgiving will be given prizes ranging from £100 to £1,000. Overall, £5,000 in prizes will be distributed among the causes supported by the winning fundraisers.

Would you be willing to raise funds on behalf of our group? Do you represent a local business? There are a growing number of local businesses fundraising for Localgiving members.

Here are some examples of what we've been able to deliver recently:

£1,000 is paying for 20 trees to be planted in Moorlands, plus another 40 to be given away to local residents

£750 paid for 60 trees to be planted across Snow Hill

£500 paid for 32 fruit trees to be given away to resident of Newbridge

Please get in touch with us or Local Giving if you'd like to find out more about getting involved. Local Hero competition
When
01 Apr 2020 at 12:15am
until 30 Apr 2020 at 11:45pm

Newbridge Fruit Tree Giveaway

Nash & Co Estate Agents of Chelsea Road, Bath have very kindly funded a fruit tree giveaway for Newbridge. 32 fruit trees are being delivered next week, and these will be given away on or around Saturday 7th March.

4 trees are being planted in the grounds of Newbridge Primary School, and the rest are available on a first come, first served basis, for residents of Newbridge.

For further information on this scheme, and to request a free tree, please contact:


Nash & Co on 01225 444800 or duncan@nashandcobath.co.uk or


More Trees BANES on 07739 737274 or moretreesbanes@gmail.com
When
07 Mar 2020 at 11:00am
until 07 Mar 2020 at 4:00pm
Where
Newbridge
Bath
Bath and north east Somerset
BA1

Moorlands Tree Planting

We are delighted to be planting approximately 20 trees in public spaces in Moorlands, in conjunction with Councillor Jess David and Curo.




There are holes to be dug and trees to be planted, so we'd really appreciate your help. What better way to spend a Saturday than getting some fresh air, meeting like-minded people and doing your bit to fight climate change?




Please wear clothing suitable for the weather, and sturdy footwear. We are hoping refreshments will be available at the end, but I would recommend you bring drinking water and any other sustenance you may require.




No skills required, guidance and tools will be provided. Supervised children are very welcome.
When
07 Mar 2020 at 10:30am
until 07 Mar 2020 at 12:30pm
Where
Willow Green
Moorlands
Bath
BA2

Grafting Skillshare

We are teaming up with Orchard Share and Dry Arch Growers to offer a practical workshop on Grafting Fruit trees. We have a range of plum, apple and pear rootstock which we will graft onto with our favourite fruit varieties.

This event is a skillshare, and it is offered as a relaxed space for beginners to learn and practice grafting. Fruit trees also available to take home for donation to our tree nursery.

2-3pm tour of the orchard, introduction to grafting and demonstration
tea break and discussion (feel free to bring cake and snacks to share!)
3.30-5pm grafting in practice - graft a fruit tree of your choice and take it home!

Walking/cycling - access from the towpath, turn off at the white swing bridge footpath!
Regular bus to Bathampton.
If driving, please park in Bathampton village and walk 200m down the lane, parking on site reserved for limited mobility attendees.

We look forward to sharing grafting with you, a vital life skill to add to your toolbox! No prior experience necessary. Tools provided. Bring appropriate all weather clothing!


Please RSVP via Facebook (link below), or message us.
When
21 Mar 2020 at 2:00pm
until 21 Mar 2020 at 5:00pm
Where
Dry Arch Growers
Holcombe Lane
Bathampton
BA2 6UW

Combe Grove Tree Planting

Come and enjoy a day of tree planting at Combe Grove Permaculture. We will be planting a mixture of native trees and shrubs that will support wildlife, offer us some hedgerow forage and shelter a 'soon to be' market garden.

Drinks, snacks, hot vegetable soup and freshly baked bread from the kitchen will be provided. Come prepared for mud and rain, hopefully it will be a beautiful sunny day!

Please RSVP via Facebook or message us if you are interested, so that we can get an idea of numbers for the soup and bread! Go to reception to meet up in the morning.

We look forward to seeing you. With thanks.
When
06 Mar 2020 at 11:00am
until 06 Mar 2020 at 3:00pm
Where
Combe Grove Permaculture
Brassknocker Hill
Bath
BA2 7HU

Rush Hill Tree Planting

Come and lend Avon Wildlife Trust a hand tree planting at Rush Hill. They’ve got lots and lots of trees to get in the ground before the end of planting season.

All equipment will be provided and no skills are required, just wear suitable clothing, sturdy footwear and bring a packed lunch if you plan to stay for the whole day.

Please note access to the site is by foot only. Parking is available on residential streets – Edgeworth Road or Kingsfield, Bath, BA2 2LU. The footpath up to meeting point is next to 114 Edgeworth Road.

It would be very helpful if you could RSVP via Facebook, or drop Nicole a text to let her know you’re coming, so she knows how many tools to bring.

Contact Nicole on 07458 091435 or nicole.daw@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.
When
29 Feb 2020 at 10:30am
until 29 Feb 2020 at 2:30pm
Where
Edgeworth Road or Kingsfield
Bath
BA2 2LU