In 1990, the Tree Council launched the national Tree Warden Scheme. It works with local authorities, voluntary organisations, parish councils and local partnerships to set up and develop Tree Warden networks in town, city and countryside.
Whilst Westbourne has plenty of trees – many of them of great significance – unlike neighbouring Emsworth, we don’t have any tree wardens. This, we feel, is an oversight, which is why Greening Westbourne is looking to recruit some.
As local tree champions, tree wardens are the eyes and ears of their neighbourhoods. Community involvement is a central aim of the Scheme and, working closely with tree officers and conservation bodies, being a warden provides those who feel that trees matter with an opportunity to:
- Champion their local trees and woods
- Plant and care for trees
- Carry out woodland management
- Set up tree nurseries using seeds collected locally
- Survey trees and gather information about them
- Provide early warning of threats, disease, decay or vandalism Involve their neighbours in tree projects
- Get together with like-minded people for training and field trips
- Spearhead Tree Council initiatives such as its Hedge Tree Campaign to reverse the decline of trees and hedges.
If you are interested in becoming a Westbourne Tree Warden, please contact Greening Westbourne at greeningwestbourne@hotmail.co.uk.
Further information about tree wardens can be found at:https://www.treecouncil.org.uk/Portals/0/TC%20Tree%20Warden%20Leaflet%202017.pdf
