Case Study – Helen, Wootton Parish Council
A guide to increasing the tree canopy in your local community. Based on the experiences of Helen Hodgkinson, written by Sarah Shorley.
Case Study – Helen, Wootton Parish Council
A guide to increasing the tree canopy in your local community. Based on the experiences of Helen Hodgkinson, written by Sarah Shorley.
On Wednesday November 30th 2022, an avenue of 28 New Horizon Elms were planted at Wootton Pocket Park, as part of a collaboration between Wootton Parish Council, Northampton Rotary, community group Save Our Street Trees, and urban tree experts Woodland Dwelling. The project was part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and to mark National Tree Week and was part funded by a grant from The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF).
Driven by a passion for protecting and enhancing Wootton’s open spaces for the wellbeing of residents, the creation of improved wildlife habitat, and to build resilience in the face of climate change, the project was spearheaded by Parish Councilor Helen Hodgkinson. We caught up with Helen to hear from her and share her insights and learning from what she’s achieved in Wootton…
How did the project come about?
Helen’s involvement began when she made an enquiry to her local Parish Council clerk about her concern for the removal of a hedgerow which led to a broader conversation about the natural open spaces in the community and a subsequent application to join the Council. ‘Being part of the team means that you can positively influence the protection and enhancement of the natural environment in your local community’ says Helen. ‘Quite quickly, you’ll be able to connect with residents and like-minded people who share your passion and together you can create change, right on your doorstep.’
Helen set up an Open Spaces working group and formed a group of volunteers who have become known as ‘Wild About Wootton’ and together they started planning some planting projects.
How did it all begin?
Helen says, ‘dreaming a little bit’, taking time for the idea to form, build and grow in her mind’s eye, until she was ready to proactively work on making it a reality was a really important starting point. ‘You have to be able to see it and dream it’. Helen explains that taking the next step to make the project happen was a fortunate encounter with Alice Whitehead of Save our Street Trees Northampton (SOST), at a local event. Alice had already successfully planted trees on her own street and was involved in a number of planting projects with partners in the town, working with well-known chartered arboriculturist Russell Horsey from Woodland Dwelling. Alice introduced Helen to Russell and the project blossomed from there. Helen says:
‘Initially I was worried I might be wasting Russell’s time and concerned that the project may not come off, not least owing to all the layers of decision making and approvals that needed to happen’.
Helen’s concerns were soon allayed. She found Russell’s supportive approach, and understanding of the process and order of events, completely reassuring and he alleviated any pressure.
‘This understanding from Russell as the consulting partner, combined with reassurance and support from Alice Whitehead made a dreamy partnership! It was not your usual commercial transaction; they displayed real expertise and empathy, guiding me through the process. Without them the project simply would not have happened’.
A planting plan was created, the grant application was submitted and whilst the project was waiting for approval Russell was also able to reserve trees with the nursery. It therefore felt like a trusted partnership, with Russell acting in good faith that the project would happen. Helen says:
‘When ‘dream’ meets ‘expertise’ a project like this builds momentum, it’s a matter of marrying up the emotional connection and practical reality to make it happen. When you find kindred spirits the satisfaction and relief is enormous. Finding Alice was incredible and there was a domino effect. Alice may never know how many people she has positively impacted, and the significance of what she created along with being so approachable.’
Making it happen
Helen was the lead on the project throughout and responsible for each part of the process, from applying for funding to navigating the parish council decision making forums. She says:
‘During the process, each activity in isolation felt insignificant, from receiving permission to plant on the land to having a conversation with Russell, gaining support to apply for funding and then eventually receiving the grant. So, you need to occasionally take a moment of reflection to celebrate the sum of all the parts as well as continue to focus on the end goal!’
However, after moving through all the necessary steps to reach planting day, Helen describes planting the tree avenue as a day full of hope and positivity. The planting was promoted widely via multiple channels, including on the Wild about Wootton Facebook page, via the local school and an article in the quarterly community magazine. On the day we had in excess of 50 volunteers who turned out to support. Helen says ‘it felt like a mini DIY SOS!’
Naturally, local residents are at the heart of an event like this and bringing the community together is really rewarding. When people are involved in a project they are more likely protect it for years to come.
‘I really enjoyed being part of this important project, community spirit at its best! The Elm Tree Avenue looks superb and will be there for the benefit of future generations.’
Colin, local resident and Wild About Wootton volunteer
If you’re looking to carry out a planting project in your local community, here are some practical steps to consider:
1. Contact your local Parish Council and find out who is responsible for your public open spaces. You may even want to consider applying as a Councillor to be able to influence some of these decisions.
2. Find out what land is under the ownership or management of your Parish Council and if you can get permission to plant on that land?
3. Consult with an expert who can advise you on appropriate trees for your location and climate.
4. Seek approval to apply for a grant, including whether any funding will need to be matched in cash or in kind.
5. For any planting project, you’ll need to consider a 3-year maintenance and watering plan to ensure the survival of the trees, so you’ll need to think about either forming a group of reliable volunteers or appointing a contractor.
Helen shares the following learnings to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible:
· Get all Councillors onboard from the beginning. Involve everyone in the project from the outset to gain as much support as possible.
· Choose planting locations that have broad support – for example, Helen chose an open parkland location for the avenue rather than in proximity to the community centre where there were concerns about blocking the CCTV.
· Consider accessibility so that as many people as possible can benefit from the project.
· Be open with your communication throughout the process and encourage people to engage with the project.
· There are so many benefits of trees in our urban spaces for people, our wildlife and the climate and planet so make sure that they’re well understood so that you can gain maximum support (Benefits of Street Trees - Save Our Street Trees).
· Most neighbours of the planting site are supportive, even if they do not get actively involved, and it is best practice to communicate and engage them throughout the process.
· Understand that different people have different visions of beauty – consult as widely as possible to design a plan that will achieve a general consensus of support.
· Don’t underestimate how influential a local community can be in making something happen. Helen says ‘the power of parishes shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s a matter of committing to a dedicated target, whether that be to plant 5, 10 or more trees in the next 1, 2, 5 or more years. Just imagine what could be achieved if every Parish in West Northamptonshire committed to a tree planting project? Together we can protect and plant up our communities.’
· Make yourself ’findable’ – operate an ‘open door, open mind’ policy – be available and willing to listen.
· Connect with your local association of local councils – Helen found that NCALC’s Danny Moody was very alive to the importance of the subject.
· Establish a network, find a community of people who want to create change and find strength in numbers, for example Helen connected with Climate Action - West Northamptonshire - The CA-WN Exchange.
· Seek out funding opportunities – locally and nationally, and set the time aside to apply. This project was possible through a grant from The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (Urban Tree Challenge Fund - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) as well as funding from Wootton Parish Council and The Rotary Club.
What next for Wootton?
Almost a year to the day, Wootton will be undertaking a second huge planting project which will see an additional 42 trees planted across the community. This will be possible thanks, again, to a successful grant award from UTFC as well as funding from the Parish Council. Russell and the team from Woodland Dwelling will oversee the project.
Recommendations:
Step by step handholding guide needed – 123 – ‘guidance on how to achieve tree planting in your parish’… from securing funding through to planting and aftercare.
