A major project has seen 18,000 trees planted on green space at the former Rufford Colliery site, Rainworth. 

The work within the Greenwood Community Forest is part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider ambition to plant 250,000 trees across the county over the next five years and contribute to Trees for Climate — an England-wide programme of woodland planting led by community forests.

The first tree was planted by Coun Mike Adams, the council’s environment ambassador, whose role it is to drive forward the council’s green policy, with Nick Tucker, Woodland Creation project manager (above). 

“I was delighted to pick up a spade and plant the first tree, an oak tree, and kick-off this major climate change combating scheme,” he said.

“When we consulted on our Council Plan, the public told us that the environment is really important to them and that’s why we’ve pledged to plant 250,000 new trees across Nottinghamshire in the next five years.

“All these thousands of extra trees are going to bring so many benefits to our local communities, including creating new habitats for wildlife, improving air quality, and giving residents an improved experience.”

The second tree was planted by Coun Tom Smith, Greenwood champion, vice-chairman of the council’s Communities Committee, and county councillor for Blidworth. He is pictured with Coun John Cottee, Coun Mike Adams and Nick Tucker.

“Planting new, native woodland is a hugely important step in tackling the environmental challenges we face, and I know Rainworth and the surrounding area will benefit hugely from this green scheme,” Coun Smith added.

“Rufford Colliery site is the perfect place for this woodland.

“I’m particularly proud to have been able to plant the second tree of this new woodland, and I very much look forward to seeing the forest grow.”

Cllr John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities Committee, also joined Cllr Adams and Cllr Smith at the green space as the pair planted trees. 

Cllr Cottee said: “It is the county council’s role to improve our communities as best we can and projects like this are really important to getting the job done. 

“I was delighted to visit the site and watch the first two trees being planted. Delivering a ‘greener’ Nottinghamshire is a key plank of our new council plan, so our tree planting ambitions over the next five years are now doubly important.” 

Trees for Climate is being delivered by a collaboration of 13 Community Forests and will help the government achieve the goals set out in the 25 year Environment Plan. Funded by the Nature for Climate Fund, this programme will help deliver the English portion of the government’s manifesto commitment to increase tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery.

Greenwood Community Forest, which is hosted by Nottinghamshire County Council, has committed to creating 250ha  of new woodland in Nottinghamshire through the Trees for Climate programme by 2025. They will work in partnership with Sherwood Forest Trust and will be launching a grant scheme for funding applications to landowners and communities in 2022.