The Tree Council and Network Rail have renewed their award-winning partnership for another five years, aiming to plant thousands more trees across hundreds of communities.
Under the new agreement, Network Rail has pledged £1.2 million to tree planting and care across three regions—Eastern, Northwest and Central and Southern—as well as its national Route Services function.
The initiative supports Network Rail’s goal of achieving biodiversity net gain across its land by 2035.
The Tree Council will work with local authorities, community groups and conservation organisations to establish trees, hedgerows and orchards.
This will enhance green spaces, improve air quality, boost biodiversity and inspire young people to explore green careers.
Network Rail’s Biodiversity Strategy Manager, Neil Strong, added: “Planting trees in safer spaces with The Tree Council is one of the ways we are able to do that and still protect and preserve biodiversity across the country and help encourage greener communities too.”
Their previous collaboration saw 350,000 saplings planted in 180 locations.
“After four years of a pioneering partnership with Network Rail, we are delighted to announce that this collaboration, which has already planted over 350,000 trees with 180 communities, will continue for another five years,” said Sara Lom, CEO of The Tree Council. “The programme is helping tackle the dual climate and biodiversity emergencies, bringing wide-ranging benefits for people, wildlife and our planet.”