Following on from the joint statement between Sheffield City Council (SCC), Sheffield Tree Action Groups (STAG) and Amey, work has begun to develop an exemplary Street Tree Strategy for the city. The new Street Tree Strategy will supplement SCC’s Trees & Woodland Strategy which was approved in December 2018.
The strategy is being developed by a group of partners including members of STAG, SCC, Amey, independent experts and the Woodland Trust, with Liz Ballard, Chief Executive of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust in the role of Independent Chair.
So far the partnership group has met twice and good progress has already been made around a shared vision and aims for the strategy, taking in to consideration the many benefits that street trees can bring to people, wildlife and the wider environment, as well as considering their impact in a highway’s setting.
Liz Ballard said: To ensure that people can follow the development of the strategy as it progresses, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust are putting all the meeting documents and presentations on our website. So anyone interested just needs to visit our webpages to find out more.
The aim is to have the strategy agreed with all partner by the end of March 2020.
The meeting information can be found here: https://www.wildsheffield.com/developing-a-partnership-street-tree-strategy-for-sheffield/
ENDS
For further information, please contact Claire Hanley Opik, Marketing and Communications Officer at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, on c.hanley-opik@wildsheffield.com or 0114 2792649. Images are available on request.
Notes to editors:
The joint statement between SCC and STAG can be found here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/content/dam/sheffield/docs/roads-and-pavements/managingtrees/Joint%20position%20statement%20SCC,%20Amey%20&%20STAG.pdf
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is a registered charity and works with the local community to protect and enhance the environment in Sheffield and Rotherham, working towards a better future for wildlife, people and the green spaces we all rely on.
We are supported by almost 6,000 members and over 100 volunteers and we are part of a national network of 46 Wildlife Trusts, working together to make the UK a better place for wildlife and people. The Trust manages 16 nature reserves including Greno Woods, Wyming Brook, Blacka Moor, Sunnybank and Centenary Riverside and recent projects include the delivery of natural flood risk management schemes on the Rother and recording the return of the otter along the River Don. The Trust delivers a programme of activities throughout the year to inspire people of all ages to learn about nature and enjoy being outdoors. We also take action for wildlife and green spaces under threat, including campaigning to save Smithy Wood, an ancient woodland and local wildlife site, from being turned into a motorway service station.
For more information about our work please visit wildsheffield.com or contact us at mail@wildsheffield.com or 0114 263 4335.
Sheffield City Council (SCC)
As part of the £2bn Streets Ahead Highways Maintenance contract in Sheffield, Amey are responsible for improving and maintaining the city’s infrastructure until 2037.
As well as the resurfacing of roads and pavements, the programme includes managing and maintaining more than 35,000 street trees.
STAG (Sheffield Tree Action Groups)
STAG was established in 2015 by Sheffield residents concerned by the large number of street trees being felled by Sheffield Council and its contractor Amey. Over time, the concern led to increasingly large scale peaceful protest and direct action to prevent felling.
We are now glad to say that, since March 2018, Sheffield Council and Amey have begun to take a different approach, and whilst we don’t always agree, we are glad to be working collaboratively with both organisations, in order to establish a long term street tree strategy for Sheffield.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.
The Trust has three key aims: i) protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable, ii) restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life, iii) plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering over 28,700 hectares. Access to its woods is free.
Natural Capital Solutions
Natural Capital Solutions is a consultancy that specialises in natural capital, ecosystem services and biodiversity assessment. Working across the private, public and NGO sectors our technical analyses provide the evidence required to make informed decisions about how to best manage the natural environment for its multiple functions and benefits.