Green-minded residents are being invited to get involved in a new volunteer scheme to help care for the borough’s trees.
From suggesting new areas for planting to caring for young trees, Chesterfield Borough Council’s new Tree Wardens will play a valuable role in their communities.
There is no weekly time commitment for volunteers to take part in the scheme. Tree Wardens will be able to access seven modules of training through the Tree Council and there will also be opportunities to learn more by working with other tree warden groups.
Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Trees are a crucial part of our environment for so many different reasons, and we’re lucky in Chesterfield that we already have a substantial number of well-established trees and wooded areas. We know our green spaces are valued by people from across our borough and we’d like to work more closely with our residents to help protect and improve these areas.
“Our wardens will act as the eyes and ears on the ground that help us prioritise where our services are needed. They can get involved in supporting the planting and care of new young trees and help influence where new trees might be planted.
“I know lots of people locally care deeply about the environment and this is a great chance to take an active role in improving our communities. Even if you can only spare a little bit of time each year please get in touch and find out more about this worthwhile volunteer opportunity.”
The work supports the council’s Climate Change Action Plan and the target for Chesterfield Borough Council to plant at least 1000 trees each year. Last year this target was exceeded, with 3000 new trees being planted in the borough with more planned for the current planting season.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for climate change, said: “Trees are fantastic for the environment as they absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis as they grow and can help to mitigate the effects of climate change by storing this carbon.
“Wooded areas also play an important role in regulating local microclimates, improving local resistance to droughts, heatwaves, and floods. To tackle climate change we all need to work together and this scheme is one of the ways everyone can play a part in mitigating the effects of climate change in Chesterfield.”
Email Chesterfield Borough Council’s Green Spaces team to find out how to become a tree warden.
