North Lanarkshire is one of eight councils across Glasgow City Region aiming to connect up existing woodlands, plant new forests and target urban tree plantings in areas vulnerable to climate impacts.

The Clyde Climate Forest (CCF) was launched in June 2021 and since then the project has seen over 1.2 million trees planted in both urban and rural areas.

The council have committed to supporting delivery of the Clyde Climate Forest and to embed CCF targets into their own plans and policies, helping toward the authorities own Net Zero ambitions.

Max Hislop, Director of Clyde Climate Forest, said “I am delighted that North Lanarkshire Council have committed to our tree planting program by signing our Concordat agreement. Tree planting is crucial if we are to tackle both the climate and biodiversity emergencies.”

“Community woodlands and trees bring many benefits to urban neighbourhoods, they help soak up excess rainwater in heavy downpours, create cooling effects in heatwaves, and provide vital carbon storage and wildlife habitat.

“We plan to work with multiple local communities across 2023 with an aim to plant up to 1000 trees in each of our target neighbourhoods as part of our ‘1000 Trees’ Campaign."

A total of 16 areas have been identified including the Hattonrigg area in Bellshill, which is the first project in North Lanarkshire where the CCF have planted trees. Children from Noble Primary School worked with staff from environmental charity Trees for Cities, who are a Clyde Climate Forest delivery partner, to help plant more than 400 trees to the north of Bellshill town centre last week.

Other projects are likely to spring up across the region in the near future as the Council work with the CCF project to help them achieve their goal across the wider Glasgow City Region.

Jim Logue, Council Leader, added “We are delighted to commit to the Clyde Climate Forest’s ambitious targets for tree planting and recognise the multiple benefits trees can bring, particularly in our urban areas.”

“Trees capture carbon and provide clean air, they are the lungs of our towns.”

“Involving our local communities in their planting and care also helps to encourage ownership of new trees and highlight the value they bring”

The Clyde Climate Forest is delivering part of the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network, with support from Green Action Trust, TCV, Glasgow City Region, Trees for Cities, Scottish Forestry and Woodland Trust Scotland.