Four new "micro-woods" are to be to created on Teesside for people to enjoy for generations to come.
At least two of the woods will be at locations in the Eston area complementing the wider Eston regeneration work, Redcar and Cleveland Council said.
Funding has come from the Coronation Living Heritage fund, made available through Defra’s Nature for Climate fund to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Woods are being created in urban areas easily accessible to the public across the country.
Cllr Adam Brook, the council's Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This is a wonderful development which will not only lead to enjoyment for people and improve their wellbeing for generations to come but will also enhance our natural environment. We’re proud of our programme of tree-planting in Redcar and Cleveland and I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved in this scheme.”
Cllr Carrie Richardson, deputy leader and Cabinet member for climate and culture, added: “I’m thrilled that this funding will allow us to build on our successful initiative to increase tree planting and offer access to nature in our urban areas. This will help our communities to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change, like flooding, and heatwaves; and will improve local leisure and recreation space for residents and visitors.”
Micro woods are miniature areas of woodland in urban areas which follow the "Miyawaki method" – a cost-effective way of creating densely planted, multi-layered forest ecosystems. Trees planted by this method grow much faster than traditional woodland, have recorded higher biodiversity and capture more carbon. The tree species chosen will be characteristic of the local area and native tree species will be used to encourage natural regeneration of native species.
Further updates about the new woods – including the exact locations where they will be created – will be announced in the coming weeks.
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