Forestry Commission National e-alert on grants and new guidance

The national e-alert below was sent out by the Forestry Commission (FC) on the 17 June. There are some rapidly approaching deadlines so act now if you are interested in applying for tree planting grants or applying for a job with the FC. 

Countryside Stewardship capital woodland applications
Get your Countryside Stewardship woodland grant applications in before 8 July if you want to plant this winter
The Countryside Stewardship Woodland Management Planning Grant, Woodland Creation Grant and Woodland Tree Health Grant are changing. Any agreements starting after 1 January 2021 will be made under domestic (UK), not EU, regulations. Agreements made under domestic regulations will offer the same payments currently on offer through the current EU scheme. These changes will also have no impact on existing Countryside Stewardship woodland creation, woodland tree health and woodland management planning agreements starting before 1 January 2021.

The FC are encouraging any potential applicants who want to plant during this winter planting season (2020/21) to submit their Woodland Creation and Woodland Tree Health applications in good time, allowing at least 5 months for processing. If you want to plant before January 2021 you must apply before 8 July 2020.

The Woodland Management Planning Grant will not be transitioned until the Autumn.
If applicants wish to apply under the domestic regulations, applications can be applied for before 1 January 2021, but the agreement cannot start until after this date. The revised application forms for woodland creation and woodland tree health will be available, on line, from 15 July 2020.

Urban Tree Challenge Fund
Submit your application for round 2 by 30 June 2020
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund 2020/21 closes for applications on 30 June 2020. The deadline is approaching so make sure you submit your Round 2 application for your small tree planting projects

England tree planting programme initial recruitement
Check out the application pack on Civil Service Jobs now
Never has there been a more important time for trees and woodland creation, which is why we are now recruiting for 12 new roles to help deliver our tree planting programme in England. You can find out more and apply on Civil Service Jobs, application closing date is 28 June 2020.

Responding to the climate emergency with new trees and woodlands guide
The UK’s climate is changing. Trees, woods and forests play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Placing woodland creation at the heart of any response will result in efficient and effective carbon capture, as well as a range of other benefits. The Forestry Commission has produced Responding to the climate emergency with new trees and woodlands to help local authorities and landowning businesses achieve net zero. It includes tips on creating and managing woodland, reducing the use of non-renewable resources through wood and timber products and sources of further information on grant funding.

How trees can benefit your farm business
The Forestry Commission has worked with the Catchment Sensitive Farming partnership to create a new leaflet aimed at land owners and managers in the agricultural industry. It provides information about the benefits of planting trees on farms, suggests where they could be planted to help realise those benefits and outlines the support available in the form of grants, incentives and expert advice from the relevant organisations.