Planting in Grimsby March 2024
A day in the office at this time of year is always welcome as the end of planting season approaches and gives us chance to reflect on how we are combining our tech knowledge with practical on the ground solutions to greening areas.
The past few weeks we have been working in Grimsby with local partners East Marsh United (EMU) & CREATE STREETS Greening the Marsh. An area we knew was low in tree cover but tools such as #Treeplotter canopy and #TreeEquity now mean we have the data to show this to local businesses, charities, schools, councils & residents.
With 5% tree cover in the East Marsh increasing cover will not be easy due to the lack of greenspace and so much built up area, but there is huge demand from residents and businesses to see these changes. Over the next few years we will have to look outside the traditional means of adding trees to this area so watch this space.
Its been a tough few weeks, the weather whilst great for new trees was not so great for new planters, but we have engaged with over 1000 school children who got planting in their schools, for many this was their first ever chance to do this. Its not been without its challenges deliveries not quite on time, schools not used to doing this and the horrific weather but the end result has been a joy to see.
Some of my favourite quotes from the week highlight its not all about the trees, "sir why is there a shower nozzle in my watering can?" "do you think we will find skulls if we keep digging deeper?" "my mums going to kill me when she sees my school shoes"..... multiple times (thankfully I can confirm only one pair of school shoes were harmed in the greening of the marsh (the receptionist still thinks they could have been cleaned), and finally "wow tree planting is like manual labour."
Its been important to help work with and upskill local champions at EMU in how they can get engaged with schools, whilst giving them practical experience of how to plant well, and plant sustainably so they can continue to plant on their own moving forward. Designs for each school were produced and agreed many months ago to help address some of their concerns which, in some cases ,were stopping them using areas of greenspace due to pollution and issues of anti social behaviour on the other side of the fence.
Whilst the trees have been a starting catalyst EMU will continue to work with schools on art projects, creative writing, eco clubs and much much more.
A massive thank you to all our local partners East Marsh United & Create Streets Foundation CREATE STREETS and some of our many supporters and sponsors including The Tree Council The Woodland Trust, Adam Cormack, `#tomshute #AbundanceLondon Claire Thompson North East Lincolnshire Council.
Thanks lastly to team EMU, Eleanor Jane Broad Sarah Bayer Tom N. Catherine Nuttgens Sarah Shorley Nicholas Boys Smith #Doug, you look great in Hi Vis. #UrbanForestry #CommunityEngagement #TreeEquity #Canopycover #Schoolsengagement Woodland Dwelling Claire Horsey
for more information from createstreets see their article here https://www.spacehive.com/greeningtheschools?searchText=Grimsby
