(Posted on behalf of Doug Edworthy, Tree Warden/Champion, Dallington & Brightling)
For a number of years, the two parishes have shared one Tree Champion. But there is no limit on the number a parish can have. This was brought home to me recently during a zoom webinar on the new Rother Tree Champion scheme during which I discovered some areas have a half a dozen or more. There are so many things that need to be done in our parishes and I really need some help doing them.
If this interests you, here’s what The Tree Council, the organization that set up the National Tree Warden scheme, says about the role (https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/tree-wardens/):
What Tree Wardens do
Tree Wardens plant, protect and promote their local trees. No training or experience in tree management is needed – just a love of trees and a few hours to spare. Tree Wardens are organised into local groups. Each group is managed by a co-ordinator and is autonomous, meeting regularly to decide what they would like to focus on.
Some of the projects Tree Warden groups have done include:
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- Arranging local tree planting days
- Pruning, watering and giving vital aftercare to local trees after planting
Rejuvenating local woodlands in need of management
Raising funds and identifying suitable land for local tree planting projects
Going into schools to talk to young people about the value of trees.
To that list I would add:
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- Surveying the tree stock of the parishes so that informed decisions can be made about planning and other activities that impact our trees, and
- Conducting guided walks for our parishioners.
Please get in touch if you think you could help (contact details below). You don’t have to be a tree expert (I’m not) – just enthusiastic!
Doug Edworthy, Tree Champion, Brightling & Dallington Parish Councils
Email: treewarden@dallington.org.uk Mobile: 07711 090925