Tree Council: Trees and Hedgerows for Wildlife & Biodiversity Fund

Overview

Key requirements of this fund are that children and/or young people up to the age of 21 are involved in the planting, and ideally the planning of the project, and that thought and care has gone into how it will enhance biodiversity in your local area.

Objectives

This fund places a special emphasis on wildlife and biodiversity, and is a great opportunity for planting projects that are planned with care and thought as to how our animal and insect friends might best benefit, or are situated in a location where animals are cared for, such as rescue centres or city farms, as long as they have charitable status. Grants can supports schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks to plant trees, hedges and orchards.

Up to 15% of the amount awarded may go towards the cost of wider ecological enhancements to support wildlife and biodiversity, such as providing or enhancing nesting, feeding and roosting opportunities for birds, bees, bats and insects, and costs associated with pond creation.

Eligibility

Schools, community groups, member Tree Warden Networks, parish and town councils.

The group that applies can be a:

• registered charity
• constituted group
• incorporated organisation
• Tree Warden network
• school

so as long as it has a bank account registered in the name of the applicant organisation into which a grant can be paid.

If a group does not have its own bank account but is affiliated to a local authority (e.g. the town or parish council) the grant can be paid via them.

This list is not exhaustive, so please get in touch if you are uncertain about eligibility.

Funding

You can apply for between £200 and £2,000 (excluding VAT).

You are not expected to find match funding but you will need to pay your own VAT.

If you are registered for VAT, you can claim this back from HMRC. If the cost of the planned project is likely to exceed the £1,500 limit, they suggest that a funding application is made for a standalone section of the project.

The amount of grant offered is entirely at their discretion.

Eligible Costs

Trees, hedges and fruit trees, reasonable costs of non-plastic protection and supports and other aids to establishment, such as peat-free compost and/or soil improvers.

For those projects which are placing specific and special emphasis on wildlife and biodiversity, or which are situated in a location where animals are cared for (such as rescue centres or city farms), up to 15% of the amount awarded may go towards wider ecological enhancements to support wildlife and biodiversity, such as providing nesting, feeding and roosting opportunities for birds, bee and insect hotels, bat boxes and costs associated with pond creation.

What kind of trees, hedgerows and orchard?

They have a strong preference for native trees and hedgerow plants. There are certain hedging plants they will not fund.

Trees must be planted in the ground. Apple and pears must be grown on semi-vigorous, vigorous and very vigorous rootstocks – see their Planting and caring for apple and pear trees for more details of suitable rootstock. If planting an orchard, a minimum of five trees should be planted.

They love hedgerow trees – if appropriate and your site is suitable, you should consider planting a tree every 10 to 20 meters along a new hedge. Hedgerow trees are important habitats for wildlife and offer other important benefits including carbon capture, shade and aesthetic value. By hedgerow trees, they mean trees that are identified and intended to grow proud of the hedge line into mature, full size trees. They prefer bare-root stock. If you plan to use container grown stock, then please explain to them why.

For more information go to guidance on their website