Our story
This partnership with the council has enabled us to help join up the planning and delivery of a set of complementary and connected community greening projects that has included urban woodlands, street trees, edible playgrounds and community orchards. Our strategic approach links local people and place ensuring that projects have a sustained impact on the local environment and lasting benefits to the people who live and work in Redbridge.
With funding secured over three years we were able to take a borough-wide approach to planting and connectivity of green spaces, as well as address broader issues such as flooding and air quality.
Trees For Cities is interested in hearing from other councils who may be interested in a similar, multi-year partnership approach to implementing an urban greening programme.
Our advice
Taking a multi-year partnership approach with local councils increases opportunities for Trees For Cities to unlock more opportunities for grant and corporate funding. However, it is important that the council funds part of the overall scheme so that they are directly involved financially in the overall success.
Community consultations to understand attitudes toward urban trees and other projects and what Redbridge residents want from their green infrastructure was really important input and a great way for locals to get behind the work.
Well organised volunteer days and community workshops are great events for building and enhancing relationships with key stakeholders in the borough.
A multi-year approach makes it easier to build cross-sector partnerships, as well as engage the support of pan-London stakeholders including the Greater London Authority and Forestry Commission.
