County Tree Warden Scheme Scoops National Award

Leicestershire’s pioneering Tree Warden Scheme has been given a national award for being the inspiration for a countrywide initiative.

The Tree Council presented Leicestershire County Council with a special scroll in the House of Lords to thank the authority and its volunteers for helping inspire it to develop the National Tree Warden Scheme.

The County Council's Tree Warden scheme - the country’s first ever - was established in 1981 to encourage people to become guardians of local trees and introduce planting initiatives in their communities.

Its work was noted by The Tree Council, an environmental charity, which then set up its own national tree warden initiative which was born in 1990 and now has a UK-wide force of 8,000 local volunteer champions across England, Scotland and Wales.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, and tree warden Wendy English visited the House of Lords to collect the scroll from Tree Council trustee Lord Best, OBE.

She said: It is wonderful that this initiative has proved to have been such an inspiration and we are delighted with this acknowledgement.

"The success of the scheme in Leicestershire has been down to the enthusiasm and dedication of our tree wardens who continue to promote tree planting and conservation in our county."

When asked what the most enjoyable aspects of the role are Wendy, who has been a tree warden in Hathern for nearly 30 years, said: It has to be the practical things – planting trees or hedges, and doing surveys.

"The most satisfying part is watching the results develop over the years, and protecting them for the future."

Tree Council Trustee Lord Best said: Tree Wardens have proved to be a very cost-effective way of helping to green their communities by planting and looking after local trees – whether in town or country.

Trees must continue to be planted, and we are appealing to communities throughout the UK to carry the message to heart.”

Leicestershire currently has around 140 Tree Wardens, which are appointed through parish councils.

Anyone who is interested in the role can call Tree Warden Co-ordinators on 0116 305 7264 or 7060 to find out more.

Information is also available at: www.leics.gov.uk/tree_wardens