‘Norfolk Community Nature Forum’ is a Partnership of many organisations promoting biodiversity and natural habitats across Norfolk.
This webpage provides a ‘one stop shop’ for communities and groups interested in planting trees, hedges and undertaking other measures to increase biodiversity and enhance the natural world.
The Partnership encourages and supports coordinated, informed and effective approaches to improving biodiversity, including the following:
- Active planting and creation of other landscape features
- Passive approaches to natural or assisted regeneration
- Regenerative and restorative agriculture
The long term aim is to encourage local communities, groups and land owners to get together, provide them with information and advice to assess their local landscapes and help them to develop effective and realistic plans to increase biodiversity and mitigate other impacts of climate change such as flooding.
The following links to information, advice and other support are followed by a table summarising the range of tree and hedge supply schemes that are available.
PAGE CONTENTS
Advice, Training, and Practical Help
Current Norfolk Wilding Projects
Small scale gardening for wildlife
Trees and Hedges: Planting Guides
Trees and Hedge Supply Schemes
COMMUNITY NATURE RECOVERY
Advice, Training, and Practical Help
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
NWT supports communities with projects that help wildlife in a number of different ways:
- Community support – NWT support community groups through advice, workshops, information sheets and local networks of groups.
- County Wildlife Sites – if your area is registered as a County Wildlife Site, NWT can help with management advice, sources of funding for work and surveys (see here for a map of County Wildlife Sites).
- Churchyard Conservation Scheme – wildlife surveys and advice on wildlife in Norfolk churchyards. Contact churchyards.
- Claylands Wilder Connections project – this project works with landowners and other residents of parts of South Norfolk to create wildlife corridors and stepping stones.
Practical environmental volunteering opportunities, conservation skills training and advice and a nationwide network of affiliated community groups including access to detailed technical manuals on conservation skills and techniques, plus insurance cover for affiliated community groups.
Tree Wardens are local tree champions who plant, look after and stand up for the trees in their patch- there are currently networks in Broadland and South Norfolk Districts.
Norfolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group FWAG
FWAG supports farmers, landowners & community groups to manage their land to benefit wildlife & the natural environment.
Community Tree Nursery at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
This new project involves growing trees and to inspire others to get growing with activities for school and community groups and information for visitors. The new tree nursery will be the first part of a new environmental hub for Norfolk. To become a volunteer look here.
The Probation Service
Through the Community Payback Scheme the Probation Service may be able to offer practical help through people on probation to support a range of conservation projects. Contact: Stephen.Taylor6@justice.gov.uk
Norfolk Rivers Trust
We are dedicated to restoring, protecting and enhancing the water environments of Norfolk, to benefit people and wildlife. We strive to achieve healthy, diverse river and wetland habitats that are rich in biodiversity and resilient to a changing climate, while providing wider benefits including food security, clean water and opportunities for human wellbeing to thrive. Volunteering for the Norfolk Rivers Trust will help to achieve this vision.
CURRENT NORFOLK NATURE PROJECTS
Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership
A directory of conservation groups and projects
Countryside management partnership, working to look after the countryside around Norwich.
For over 30 years Abbey Farm has attempted to conserve wildlife on their farm while producing crops and livestock.
Courtyard Farm, Ringstead
Courtyard Farm is a thriving organic farm in North West Norfolk, producing arable crops to the highest organic standards.
Holkham Estate, North Norfolk
We are custodians of wonderful natural capital and important historic buildings and collections which we will treasure, enhance and revitalise before we hand these on to the next generation.
Wild Ken Hill, Snettisham
Wild Ken Hill is a project to restore nature, fight climate change, and grow healthy food across a coastal farm in West Norfolk engaging people with the natural environment, and working for our local communities.
North Norfolk 110,000 Tree Project
In 2019 North Norfolk District Council declared a Climate Emergency to tackle the devastating impact that increasing global greenhouse gas emissions are causing through climate change.
Wendling Beck, East Dereham
The Wendling Beck Exemplar Project (WBEP) is a nature restoration project covering just under 2000 acres North of East Dereham in Norfolk. It is a collaboration of 4 farmers, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk County Council, Norfolk FWAG and Norfolk Rivers Trust.
Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Project
A new Landscape Partnership scheme, supported by more than 60 local, regional and national groups, to conserve and celebrate the unique heritage of the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks. They also have a useful Guide to Collaborative Fundraising which can be viewed here.
Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network
A farmer-led group collaborating to create a landscape scale wildlife network. It’s been pointed out that we’re the largest farmland cluster in lowland UK.
WildEast
WildEast is a supra-regional nature recovery plan based in East Anglia focused on nature-led ecosystem restoration, regenerative farming, and marine reserve. Their Map of Dreams encourages every backyard, schoolyard, farmyard and industrial yard to pledge 20% back to nature.
SMALL SCALE GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
Advice on gardening for wildlife
An RHS video to learn about wildlife gardening
Gardening For Wildlife – The RSPB
How to make a new build garden for wildlife | The Wildlife Trusts
Find out about wild flower seeds- Grow Wild
Advice on organic growing
Organic Growing – What does it mean? | Garden Organic
Principles of Organic Gardening | Garden Organic
Find out about home composting
Compost at Home – Norfolk Recycles
Home Composting | Garden Organic
Peat-free Gardening
TREES & HEDGES:
Planting Guides
You can find out about important wildlife sites here and this is the latest pdf (The pink areas are County Wildlife Sites and zoom in close to find Roadside Nature Reserves in blue)
See historic maps of the County showing where trees and hedges used to be
Refer to local landscape character assessments to help you understand the wider landscape context of your planting site/s, as well as landscape features to reinforce, enhance or restore:
Norfolk Green Infrastructure Mapping Project Report
This report advises on hedge planting in different parts of Norfolk.
This site shows where the existing tree and hedge cover in Norfolk is– at a very local level. It is a useful tool to develop plans to add to existing habitats and increase connectivity
This film provides a quick guide on where and what to plant
These links provide more detailed advice on what, where and how to plant and care for your trees:
North Norfolk District Council
Local Resource Submission Form
Do you know of a local organisation, community group, or other project that you would like to see added to this guide? Please send it to us for review via the form below:
TREE & HEDGE SUPPLY SCHEMES
This table describes a wide range of tree and hedge supply schemes. The Queen’s Green Canopy is a scheme to enable groups to dedicate tree planting to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
| Scheme and organisation | Who is the scheme open to and when? | Webpage |
| I dig trees (sponsored by ovo energy)-TCV | voluntary and community groups- 2020-2021 applications open | https://www.tcv.org.uk/communities/i-dig-trees/ |
| Branching Out- The Tree Council | Schools, community groups, tree warden networks- applications open until Friday 17th December 2021 (if stock still available) | Grants for tree planting – The Tree Council |
| Free pack of orchard trees or fruiting hedgerow for schools- The Tree Council | All nurseries, primary, secondary and special schools both dependent and independent- register for 2021/22 season | https://treecouncil.org.uk/schools-and-education/orchards-for-schools/ |
| Community hedge fund- The Tree Council | Volunteer tree wardens and community groups- closed for planting 2021/22- check back for 2022/23 | https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/grants-for-trees/ |
| Trees and hedgerows for wildlife and biodiversity fund – for trees, hedges and orchards, plus wider ecological interventions- The Tree Council | Schools, community groups and tree warden networks- applications until Friday 17th December (if stock still available) | https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/grants-for-trees/ |
| Norfolk Coast Partnership Small Grants Fund – Norfolk Coast Partnership | Communities in the Norfolk coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty- Financial Yer permissions and match funding must be in place before applying | http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/partnership/ncp-small-grant-fund/1227 |
| Free Tree packs- The Woodland Trust | Schools and community groups- for March 2022 delivery | https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/ |
| More Woods (up to 75% cost subsidised)- The Woodland Trust | All- must plant 500+ trees as woodland on at least half a hectare | https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/large-scale-planting/morewoods/ |
| More Hedges (up to 75% of cost subsidised)- The Woodland Trust | New hedging must connect with:at least 0.2 hectares of existing or newly planted woodland woodland via established hedgerows within 500m of the new hedge.You must plant at least 100 metres of new hedgerow in a single run. | https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/large-scale-planting/morehedges/ |
| Trees for your Farm- Agroforestry scheme- The Woodland Trust | Farmers- applications between November 2022 – March 2023 | plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk |
| UK Tree Planting Project- Carbon Footprint | Schools – primary, secondary, further or higher education | carbonfootprint.com – School Tree Application |
| One Million Trees for Norfolk: raising awareness, mapping connectivity opportunities, and connecting people with advice and funding.- Norfolk County Council | Individuals, community groups, schools, landowners, Parish Councils- 5 year project, range of funding opportunities | tree.planting@norfolk.gov.uk norfolk.gov.uk/million trees |
| 110,000 Trees- North Norfolk District Council | Anyone (individuals, landowners, businesses, community groups) in the North Norfolk District Area- until December 2023 | https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/projects/110-000-trees |
| CommunityTree Planting Grants-Broadland District Council | Grants available for community groups, town & parish councils and charities to plant trees in Broadland. Projects will need to take place November 2021 to March 2022 and with projects that plant a large proportion of saplings being preferred. | https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/TreePlantingGrant |
| Trees for Cities | Support organisations to plant small to medium size planting schemes. Whip planting schemes of between 0.5ha – 7ha (2000 – 2000 native trees). Also support a limited number of standard tree planting schemes in urban green spaces. Particularly looking to support sites outside of London, suffering from multiple deprivation; coastal areas or those that do not benefit from national or regional tree of woodland initiatives and have low tree canopy cover. Ongoing applications for 2021-22 season | https://www.treesforcities.org/are-you-looking-for-financial-support-for-tree-planting-this-year |
| Trees for schools and colleges- Tree Appeal | Free trees for schools and community groups The majority of trees are for schools, however community groups can also apply for trees for hedgerows and nature reserves. Also provide spirals, stakes etc. | https://www.treeappeal.com/Schools.html |
| Orchard Grants- PTES (People’s Trust for Endangered Species) | Aim is to get new trees planted in old orchards or help community orchards be planted with vigorous trees. Funding for rootstock and grafting materials and orchard trees. Open to any owner or manager of an existing traditional orchard, or existing or new community orchard. Grants are available for: –Existing orchards in unfavourable condition with missing trees (i.e. gappy) and containing only old trees.-Existing or new orchards with some sort of community access, such as therapy gardens, allotments, or community orchards. Applications for 2022 | https://ptes.org/campaigns/traditional-orchard-project/orchard-grants/ |
| UK Community Tree Planting- International Tree Foundation | A scheme supporting grassroots community engagement in tree planting. Grants of £1000-£15,000 are awarded to local community projects. Applications open for 2022-23 | https://internationaltreefoundation.org/uk-community-tree-planting/ |
| Ground Control – Evergreen Fund | Scheme is primarily for larger areas- this can include farm land, parks, hedgerows recreational areas.Apply all year round | https://www.evergreen-fund.co.uk/ |
| England Woodland Creation Offer- Forestry Commission | To create new woodlands. Landowners, land managers and public bodies can apply for support to create new woodland, including through natural colonisation, on areas as small as one hectare. Apply all year round | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/england-woodland-creation-offer |
| Woodland Carbon Code- Forestry Commission | Not a grant scheme. Instead landowners whose woodland meets the code can sell the carbon sequestered in the woodland in the form of Woodland Carbon Units. | https://woodlandcarboncode.org.uk/ |
| Urban Tree Challenge Fund- Forestry Commission | Open to landowners or those who have control over the land. Must be in an urban area and have some public access. 50% of standard tree costs provided. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/urban-tree-challenge-fund |
| Woodland Carbon Guarantee- Forestry Commission | The WCaG provides you with the option to sell your captured carbon dioxide to the government for a guaranteed price every 5 or 10 years. No minimum size. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table |
| Woodland Creation Planning Grant –Forestry Commission | Money to help with cost of planning a wood. Minimum area 10 hectares. Wood can be used for timber production. Plan can be used as a basis of application for further funding. Apply all year round | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/woodland-creation-planning-grant |
| Natural Flood Management- Environment Agency | Funding is available for tree planting that helps to reduce flood risk. Trees can be a component of natural flood management. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/submit-an-fcerm-project-proposal |
| Free trees- EForests | Free trees to wildlife trusts, community woodland groups and nature reserves.Open for large projects (200+ trees). | https://eforests.co.uk/freetrees/ |
| Countryside Stewardship- Forestry Commission | Woodland Creation Grant (WCG): provides payment to supply, plant, weed and protect young trees. Minimum size 3 hectares or 1 hectare if plan is to support leaky wood dams. Woodland Creation Maintenance Payment (WD1): for those who have planted woodland under WCG- multi year maintenance grant. Woodland Tree Health: two elements; restoration provides support for restocking woodland after felling due to disease and Improvement is support for removal of diseased trees and rhododendron. Woodland Improvement (WD2 and capital items):to improve the biodiversity of woodland and/or make it more resilient to climate change. Woodland Management Planning Grant (WMPG): a one-off payment to create a 10 year Woodland Management Plan which is UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table/woodland-grants-and-incentives-overview-table |
| Countryside Stewardship | Various grants for tree and hedge planting | https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants?keywords=hedge |
| Countryside Stewardship- hedge planting | BN11- hedge planting | https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-new-hedges-bn11 |
Norfolk Community Nature Forum comprises:
Active Norfolk
Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Project
Community Action Norfolk
Council for the Protection of Rural England (Norfolk)
Edible East CIC
Flagship Housing Group
Garden Organic
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Groundwork East
Natural England
Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System
Norfolk Association of Local Councils
Norfolk Coast Partnership
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust and Norfolk and Waveney STP
Norfolk County Council– Environment and Public Health
Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
Norfolk Green Care Network
Norfolk Ponds Project
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
North Norfolk District Council
Norwich City Council
Probation Service
Queens Jubilee Canopy (Norfolk Lord Lieutenancy)
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
South Norfolk & Broadland District Councils
The Broads Authority
The Conservation Volunteers
The Environment Agency
The Forestry Commission
The Matthew Project
The Tree Council
The National Trust
The Woodland Trust
Voluntary Norfolk
Wild Anglia
Wild East
Wild Ken Hill
Norfolk Green Care Network 