Greening the Grey Streets Initiative
Since its inception, NESST has had a clear goal of extending street tree canopy cover into parts of the NESST area where there is little or none, particularly in more disadvantaged streets. In Highfield and Lowfield there are only 20 existing street trees in this whole area of around 0.3 square miles. There are few trees of any sort, either in gardens or public green space making it a canopy deprived area.
We have succeeded in achieving an ambitious plan to plant 70 trees by March 2024 in the Highfield and Lowfield area. The Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder backed by the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund (which finished on 5th September 2023) was very successful in raising £23,837 with 170 supporters in 42 days. We are very grateful to all who donated and to the generous match funding. This result will fund 24 street trees.
A further Grant Application to the Forestry Commission Urban Tree Challenge Fund was also successful, allowing us to fund a further 46 trees, taking us to our target of 70 trees.
The map below shows where the 70 trees were planted.
