6 March 2009, 09/49
Branch out to help your environment - become a tree
warden!
Do you want to help protect trees and woodlands in West
Lancashire? Then why not become a volunteer tree warden.
The Tree Warden Scheme is a national
initiative led by the Tree Council and co-ordinated locally by West
Lancashire District Council. The idea behind it is to encourage
residents to play an active role in conserving their
environment.
The role of a Tree Warden may involve working
with their local community, farmers and landowners and can include
activities such as
- Gathering information and doing tree
surveys
- Helping to raise the public’s awareness of
good tree care practice
- Helping to promote projects such as tree
planting
- Involving local people in tree
activities
- Coming up with new ideas
Volunteers don’t have to be experts as the
District Council can organise basic training on the skills
required.
Cllr Martin Forshaw, Portfolio Holder for
Planning, said: “Trees are an important part of our natural
heritage and we need to take action now if future generations are
to enjoy the beauty and variety of our landscapes. That’s why the
Tree Warden Scheme is such an important initiative because local
people know best how to preserve and enhance their environment. The
good thing about volunteering is that you only have to have
enthusiasm - we can teach the rest!”
At the moment, the Council aims to have at
least one warden in every parish but due to a number of retirements
there are a few parishes without one. Letters have gone out to
those parish councils in the district that currently do not have a
Tree Warden to encourage volunteers to come forward.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dave
Thornber, Arboricultural Officer, on 01695 585114 or email
dave.thornber@westlancsdc.gov.uk.
Related information