We want to see more trees planted in Cheddar, Axbridge, Shipham, Compton Bishop, Cross and the other villages - and in Somerset more widely.
Tree planting is about more than meeting environmental targets. New woodland absorbs carbon, improves biodiversity, reduces flood risk and enhances the natural landscape.
Connecting up woodlands provides corridors for wildlife, helping individual animals but making populations more robust by allowing wider mating areas and more genetic diversity.
Somerset's tree cover is 8%, compared to a national average of 13%. With a climate emergency and a biodiversity crisis, plus a Net Zero target of 2030, we have work to do.
Our approach:-
- A new woodland near Cheddar called 'Sedgemoor Wood'
- Parcels of low-value agricultural land throughout Somerset turned into tomorrow's woodlands
- Working closely with the Woodland Trust to choose the right mix of native species
- A robust and accountable succession planting policy, when trees are removed
- Involving local businesses in funding tree planting projects
- Involving residents and schools in actually planting the trees
