Seeds2Trees - Growing the change we need.

Aim

To develop a project that gives people of all ages the chance to grow native British trees from seed, providing agency around climate issues

Last year, Seeds2Trees – as a pilot, was launched, thanks to the donation of time and finance by individuals, business sponsorship, and the Aviva Community Fund. 

This support for the project made it possible for people of all ages to start growing the change we need.

Can you join with your support to help build on that great achievement, and give more people the chance to grow that change?

Our story so far

 Last Summer, as a result of individuals donating, businesses sponsoring, and the Aviva Community Fund  it was possible for Seeds2Trees to be launch as a pilot, and with great success. We want to build on this success, and on the enthusiasm of people for the project, and increase its effectiveness, for it to make a long- lasting difference in our climate and ecological crisis.

Seeds2Trees is quite a unique project, as it takes people a step back from simply planting trees to help our environment, to personally grow the trees from seed that, when planted and matured, will become £foot-soldiers" in the fight against Climate Change.

As a result of last year financial support  and voluntary commitments, over 100 “tree growers”, across the North East of England, are currently growing their trees in their own outdoor space, such as a garden, an allotment, on community grounds, and in their own yards. 

Fiona, one of our current tree growers, beautifully described what she is personally doing as she participates in Seeds2Trees as, “Growing a woodland in my yard".

Together, the current “tree growers”, made up of individuals, households, schools, and community groups, are working to grow 10,000 British native trees, from seed, over two years, that will then be planted in suitable locations, to continue their growth, and reach their potential as the foot-solders in climate change. They are currently nurturing a mix of Oak, Hazel, Alder & Birch seedlings. 

The "Seeds2Trees" project

Seeds2Trees is a community focussed project that connects people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and abilities; and with varied experiences and knowledge around nature, woodlands, and the critical issues around Climate Change. It provides agency for members of the public to do something personal, tangible, effective, and long-lasting in the efforts to preserve our environment, and improve biodiversity, that will help to sustain all life for generations to come.

 Seeds2Trees gives agency to all people, in rural and urban locations, to: -

• personally benefit from connecting with nature,
• improve understanding of the vital role trees and healthy woodlands play in the fight against climate change, and,
• individually invest time and patience, to grow 100 trees each, to then be planted, and grown on to make the change we all need.

 20,000 more trees, 200 more people

 A second round will aim to see at another 20,000 trees to be grown by about 200  “tree growers”. 

Building on the success of the pilot, we are looking to raise funds to enable even more people to experience the magic of growing trees from seed, and while doing so, improve their understanding about climate issues, that can lead to an increased commitment to preserving the environment of our fragile, but extraordinary planet.

Over the course of five years, through Seeds2Trees, we have a chance to invest time and finance to see 50,000 new trees grown, for our children and children’s children, to enjoy and benefit from. These 50,000 trees will be planted , and will "grow on" to help improve the whole ecosystem and gain biodiversity, and to help cleanse our environment - what an amazing legacy we help to leave for future generations !  

                           Your support will help to make this possible, and help                                                                                "grow the change we need"

You can help Seeds2Trees be a vital tool to help meet a serious need.

 As the Forestry Commission explains, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has recommended that the UK  Government adopt a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target for 2050. Trees, woodlands and forests play a key role in greenhouse gas removal. The CCC has recommended that we should be aiming to plant around 30,000 hectares of new woodland in the UK every year until 2050. That is nearly a million hectares over the next 30 years. Doing so could absorb approximately 10% of residual GHG emissions2 alongside the substantial reductions to emissions across the whole economy required to meet net zero targets.

 Sustainably managed woodlands perform a vital role as carbon sinks and reservoirs by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it as a component of wood itself. Over time, the soil beneath them is enriched by adding carbon in the form of organic matter from leaf litter, branch fall and root death. In general, woodland soils have low and infrequent levels of disturbance and the total carbon content per unit area of woodland is higher than that for agricultural soils which are subject to more frequent and significant disturbance. 

 The rate of CO2 capture is closely related to tree growth rate (or yield class – YC) and wood density, and it differs between species. Beyond carbon, all trees and woodlands – wherever they are in the landscape, including our towns and cities – can also provide a range of other benefits. They improve air quality, reduce the ‘urban heat island’, provide timber, wood and wood fibre products, provide opportunities for people to re-connect with nature and new spaces to improve health and well-being, help to reduce flood risk and can reduce the costs of water treatment too.

Seeds2Trees is a project of Living Woods North East CIC and their work brings this vital management and improvement to our woodlands.  One of its community interest elements is to help connect people to woodlands and nature, to help improve their experience and understanding of the needs. Seeds2Trees is one way it seeks to do this.

THE DIFFERENCE YOUR GIFT CAN MAKE...

                                      “From little Acorns, mighty Oaks will grow”.

We are asking for your help in our efforts to raise the money to fund Round 2 of Seeds2Trees, and by doing so, you will be helping to bring about change that will benefit us today, and for generations to come. As the acorn, a little can make a big difference.

We have an incredible opportunity help your donation make a big difference and have a greater impact.  Every £1, will be matched with £2 (some conditions apply)

• Every £10 can help grow 8 new trees from seed and help someone to develop their understanding of the importance of trees and woodlands in the fight against Climate Change and how they benefit us, now and in the future.  With the amazing support and opportunity from this matched funding instead of 8 trees with every £10 you can give, you will enable 24 trees to be grown. 
• Every tree you can help grow has the potential to absorb a tonne of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. Every £10 you can give can therefore help 24 tonnes of carbon dioxide absorbed for future generations. Your donation will be investing in their future.
• Your donation will help purchase the seed (and growing kits) needed for 20,000 new trees to be grown, and distributed to 200 "tree growers”, to sow and then nurture for two years. These 200 tree growers represent a greater number of people involved in the project, as one tree grower could be a school, or a community group. Your gift will mean that we can uphold the principle that this project is "free at source" so that all have an equal opprtunity to experience, learn, and make help make changes in the fight against climate change. 
•  Within the two years of the round, we will help, support, encourage, guide and educate our growers as they undertake their commitment to nurture the growth of their trees. Your gift will enable us to provide this support and information for them, and help understand the wider issues of our environmental needs. Ali, another current tree grower, explained to us much confidence our support, and monthly contact has given her as she undertakes a new task of growing trees from seeds,. She says that she is personally benefitted from the sense of being a part of a community that is working to achieve something long lasting and something "quite special".
• Your contribution will enable schools and community groups to participate, meaning you will also be helping them to achieve their aims as a service to the community. Connecting with nature provides many therapeutic benefits, which helps to build confidence, improve mental health and well-being for people of all ages. Children are also growing their understanding of climate change and consider their behaviours from a young age.  
•  Your support will contribute to the collection of the saplings in two years’ time, so they can be correctly planted to thrive in their climate impact role. Many of our growers have expressed the excitement, and sense of purpose, that they feel being part of a bigger story.

This is the difference you can make!

We hope that those of you who donated last year to help launch the project as a pilot, are rewarded with the knowledge of the difference you have made, helping it to be a success, and knowing that the work to grow the first 10,000 trees is well underway.  Thank you for the investment that you made last year.

For anyone who can help us this time, will hope you too will be rewarded with the knowledge that you will help another 20,000 trees to start their journey of potential.

 Thank you - Your donation will help to "Grow the change we need”.

This project successfully funded on 11th July 2023