Saving Devon’s Treescapes secures vital funding

Published: 2 December 2021

A project to protect and main treescapes across the county has secured crucial funding for it to continue.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Saving Devon Treescapes has won funding for the next four years. The project is supported by a number of partners including Exeter City Council.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was set up to protect the county’s stunning habitats which are so crucial to wildlife.

Unfortunately, Devon’s treescapes are under threat from many things including Ash Dieback, which is estimated to kill at least 90% of the county’s ash trees in the coming years.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes are leading the fightback on Ash Dieback on behalf of Devon’s Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. They are encouraging Devon’s communities, landowners and businesses to get involved.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes have been monitoring the landscapes affected by Ash Dieback and have been organised a number of events where communities can get involved. They are offering free trees – or whips - for planning in gardens or land where permission has been given.

The free Tree Hubs have been set up across Devon throughout December and into January and February, with 200-400 trees to give away at each event. All trees available are UK native species such as Oak, Rowan and Crab Apple. They are also carrying out tree planting at schools across the county.

Rosie Cotgreave, of Saving Devon’s Treescapes, said: “It’s great news that we have secured the funding to allow us to continue carrying out this valuable work across the county.”  

Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for City Management, said: “I’m delighted Saving Devon’s Treescapes can continue with their crucial work thanks to this funding. It is vital for the environment that we continue working with Saving Devon’s Treescapes to maintain the tree cover that we have in Exeter and throughout the county,” he added.