Tree Planting by Working Wetlands
12.03.2021
Nearly 10,000 saplings are being planted this winter in 6 locations across Devon through a scheme organised by Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust.
Twenty-five species, all native to Devon have been distributed to landowners in the upstream catchments of the rivers Dart, Yeo, Tamar, Otter, lower down the Exe and around Fernworthy Reservoir on Dartmoor. Working Wetlands, a Devon Wildlife Trust project, has been working with these landowners for 5 years.
The planting will target places where the new trees can have the greatest impact. Trees and hedgerows store carbon, reduce soil erosion and provide shelter and food for wildlife.
Hedgerows are particularly important for a variety of wildlife. As well as providing shelter they create corridors for wildlife to move through and also offer natural flood management by intercepting rainfall. The roots of the oak, hawthorn and hazel trees will stabilise the soil, reducing soil loss by water erosion. Trees also slow the movement of water from land to river, reducing flood risk and benefitting downstream communities.
How is this helping Devon reach net-zero?
Goal FD – The Potential for Land to Address the Climate and Ecological Emergencies is Being Used to Maximum Effect part of the Land Use Framework, and underpinned by the Nature Recovery Network, identify opportunities to implement a Trees for Devon initiative.
