Tree Wardens
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council act as regional coordinator for the Tree Warden Scheme in the borough.
Tree Warden Scheme
The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme was founded and is co-ordinated by The Tree Council.
Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by parish councils or other community organisations, who gather information about their local trees, get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects related to the trees and woods.
The scheme was founded by The Tree Council, and celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2015. There are around 8,000 Tree Wardens in more than 150 local networks doing voluntary work for their communities.
The Tree Council, the UK’s leading campaigning partnership, works with its member organisations, Tree Wardens and others toward more trees, of the right kind, in the right places, for better care for all trees of all ages and to inspire effective action for trees. Its goal is to make trees matter to everyone and Tree Wardens are the key to achieving this.
Over the past 25 years, volunteer Tree Wardens in the UK have:
- Dedicated an amazing 27 million hours of their time.
- Which is worth a staggering £189 million.
- And planted over 7.5 million trees.
Action for local trees
As local tree champions, Tree Wardens are the eyes and ears of their neighbourhoods. Community involvement is a central aim of the Scheme.
Some Tree Wardens work with local schools, or groups, developing imaginative projects to encourage others to value the community’s trees and woodlands. Involving children and youth groups helps to reduce vandalism and strengthens community ties.
Tree Wardens might lead guided trees walks, help farmers lay hedges or tag hedgerow trees to help identify and protect these assets. They encourage local environmental improvements projects and plan tree planting initiatives around The Tree Council’s National Tree Week. Tree wardens also work in their own communities to undertake projects such as commemorative tree planting, and identifying important historic trees.
How to find out more
New Tree Wardens are always welcome and the first step for anyone interested in volunteering is to contact the local network co-ordinator, by emailing communityservices@basingstoke.gov.uk, by phoning 01256 844844.
Alternatively, you can visit The Tree Council’s website or contact your local Parish or Town Council.