Seed to Tree: Grant sucess
Stump Up For Trees has received a second year of funding support from the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership - Connector Grant Programme at the maximum grant of £15,000!
Thanks to the ongoing support and invaluable relationship with the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority we are able to take the next steps in our developing Seed to Tree program.
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Nature recovery requires the agency and understanding of multiple people and communities. Woodland and treescape habitat creation has been identified as a key tool in biodiversity regeneration as well as tackling the climate crisis. Stump Up For Trees has a demonstrated record of successful woodland creation, planting over 230,000 trees at sites across the Bannau Brycheiniog and South Wales, including the ‘Traditional Boundaries of Wales’ project with the BBNPA. However, there is a disconnect and lack of understanding nationally between Woodland Creation and where those trees come from, whether nursery stock or natural colonisation/regeneration. This lack of access and understanding also impacts our knowledge and ability to support ecological resilience within our landscapes.
Our seed-to-tree project is being developed to better connect our community with the earliest, vital stage of woodland creation – growing trees from seed our community have collected and exploring the different ways in which these seeds make their way to Woodlands.
By taking part in seed collections, then planting, growing and monitoring these at our tree nursery – individuals and groups will be able to track seeds from the source tree to their final site. Understanding these processes (for example, the individual timescales - did you know that Willow seeds need to be in the ground within a week, whereas Hawthorn takes 2yrs to germinate?) and environmental considerations will better support our community in understanding the wonder and complexity of their natural environment.
The first year of funding enabled us to make significant improvements to our Nursery, and grow (not just our trees) but our capacity to engage and deliver the first stages of our program with our volunteer community. From seed cages to safely protect our Acorns and Sweet Chestnuts, to our improved irrigation system (look out for our impact report, coming soon, for more detail or explore our nursery pages here).
This year is the 'sapling stage' of delivery, where we really start to explore and expand this program. Our new Nursery Manager, Jenny Parry and our Operations Manager, Rachel Embury, will lead this program's delivery. If you'd like to find out more about volunteering events and how to participate, or if you'd like to speak to Jenny or Rob about the policy and landscape implications of this program, please do get in touch!