Foster Families join forces to help boost woodland in Grimsby

The event, organised by North East Lincolnshire Council, was part of the 'Greening Up Our Place' project. This initiative has been supported by successful funding from the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF).

Several boroughs, including East Marsh, West Marsh, Sidney Sussex, Immingham, and Croft Baker, have tree coverage as low as 2%. The project aims to increase canopy cover in urban areas and replace trees that were previously felled due to damage or disease.

This community program is a key component of the Council’s Tree Strategy, which outlines North East Lincolnshire Council's approach to managing and protecting the existing tree population, increasing the number of trees, and promoting the significant benefits trees provide to society.

Although the Council's main tree planting program concluded last month, 275 young trees (whips) were reserved for this special event. This allowed children and young people with care experience to contribute to an initiative that has engaged community groups and schools since its inception in 2023.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for Children and Education said:

“It is wonderful to see our foster families getting involved in the greening up our place project. I hope the children and young people take great pride in being involved in this initiative.”

Cllr Henry Hudson, NELC’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said:

“It’s brilliant to see how many trees have already been planted across the borough. There are so many benefits that trees offer us, not least of which is the effect they have on our efforts to get to net zero by capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.

“Everyone in North East Lincolnshire benefits from trees. They help create a sense of place and local identity and have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health. They create focal points and landmarks, and they benefit communities by increasing pride in the local area.”

“Thank you to all of our children, young people and their foster carers who have helped make today a success.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer in North East Lincolnshire or to discuss how you apply to be a foster carer, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering, or call 01472 323966.