• Biodiverse “pocket forests” will green urban landscapes in schools and communities
Innovative “pocket forests” that transform urban areas into biodiverse tree-filled spaces will spring up in schools and communities across Newham thanks to a £500,000 Council investment.
Fifteen Newham schools will welcome pocket forests as part of a £250,000 pilot programme, with communities using a further £250,000 to plant in additional areas of the borough through the People Powered Places scheme. The money comes from the Council’s Carbon Offset Fund, which is comprised of cash-in-lieu payments made by developers where net zero operational energy targets were not able to be met onsite at new developments.
The pocket forests will be planted through a partnership with urban forestation expert SUGi and are quick to grow, require little-to-no maintenance and will bolster Newham’s climate resilience by improving air quality, reducing urban heat effects, and furthering access to green spaces.
Jacob Heitland, Director of Climate Action at Newham Council, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with SUGi on delivering new biodiverse and much needed green spaces for residents of all ages across Newham. The pilot seeks to make a significant step towards increasing the long-term climate resilience of the borough alongside the immediate learning, community, and overall health benefits of the planting process.”
Dean Scott, of St Luke’s Primary and Nursery School, said: “Green spaces are hugely beneficial to young people’s physical and mental health and we are always looking for ways to provide as much access to the outdoors as possible.
“A pocket forest would add a diverse new habitat for our students to explore and would be gratefully welcomed by the whole St Luke’s community as we look towards net zero and fighting climate change.”
Elise Van Middelem, SUGi, Founder & CEO, said: “It’s truly visionary for Newham to make this significant commitment to green their community and build access to nature for future generations.
“Biodiversity, climate resilience, and human health are hallmarks of our ultra-dense, rapidly-growing forests of native species, and children will be actively involved as citizen scientists and stewards of the pocket forests that they have helped to bring to life.”
The announcement of the pocket forest investment comes London Climate Action Week, an annual event which harnessing the power of London and brings together the city's world-leading array of climate professionals and communities to find global solutions to climate change.