AN urban forestry programme has received a £10 million funding boost, thanks to a new partnership between a conservation charity and an oil giant. 

The agreement will see BP support Future Woodlands Scotland’s (FWS) ambition to deliver greener cities, towns, and urban areas.

Committed as part of BP’s development of its Scottish offshore windfarm, Morven, the money has allowed FWS to recruit its first urban forestry manager, Des Hackett, who will lead the delivery of the urban forestry programme, which it expects to launch in mid-2024.

Shireen Chambers, FWS’s chief executive, said: “We’re excited to be working with BP to take this next step in the development of our Urban Forestry Programme for the potential benefit of more than 4.5 million people living in Scotland’s urban areas. We are committed to making a positive impact on the urban environment, delivering substantial benefits for people, the environment, and the economy through the creation of a diverse network of trees and woodlands in and around our urban settlements.”

Research shows that, in addition to the health and well-being benefits associated with access to nature, urban forestry can result in economic gains. According to a recent study by Forest Research and Defra, individual trees in the UK’s urban and rural areas are worth up to £3.8 billion per year. The economic value is based on the role trees and woodlands play in sequestering and storing carbon, regulating temperatures, strengthening flood resilience, and reducing noise and air pollution. 

Shireen added: “With more than 80 per cent of people in Scotland living in urban areas, it’s important that they can access green networks where they live.

"The purpose of this programme is to create leafier neighbourhoods, including trees in parks, streets, amenity areas and along canals and rivers, which encourages people to spend more time outdoors interacting with their communities, which in turn promotes health and well-being.”

Richard Haydock, BP’s programme director, UK offshore wind, said: “We are proud of BP’s long-established partnership with Future Woodlands Scotland. The Urban Forestry Programme agreement marks an important expansion of our support. We look forward to launching the programme in 2024, which will focus on increasing the number of trees and green spaces in Scotland’s cities and towns.”