North East Lincolnshire Council has adopted its first tree strategy to help respond to the challenges of climate change and the natural ecosystem.
Trees provide many well-documented benefits from improving the quality of the natural and urban environment to improving social, health and physical well-being – but the tree canopy covers only 10.5% of North East Lincolnshire, against the national average of almost 16%.
Correctly-managed trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change, improve storm water management, air quality, biodiversity and the amenity and sense of well-being within a community.
Tree canopy coverage within the borough’s Wards, including Yarborough, Park and Heneage, are above the national average, but some of the Wards along the coast have tree canopy cover as low as 2 per cent to 7.6 per cent.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “Our environment is unique, that’s why we’re looking after it by cutting our carbon emissions and giving back to nature. We want everyone in North East Lincolnshire to benefit from a green economy and high-quality environment.
“Our tree strategy is an ambitious plan that can be used as a framework for everyone who has a role to play in protecting and increasing tree cover in the borough. It gives a strategic approach to making sure that everyone gains from the environmental and health benefits that trees give us.”
