Would you like a WIMBY?

The Stepping Stones Project at Leicestershire County Council - a partnership which aims to create exceptional green spaces in the parishes around Leicester - has teamed up with The Woodland Trust to launch the WIMBY initiative.

WIMBY stands for “Woodland in My Backyard” and is a scheme that aims to enable people with a desire to plant trees for the benefit of their community to improve their neighbourhood. The partnership will look to contribute towards these schemes by offering funding and advice.

Submitted schemes should be one hectare or more in size of largely native species planting, and be delivered this coming winter and fall within the Stepping Stones Project area.

Laura Parry, Regional Development Officer for the Woodland Trust, said: “Woodland cover across Leicestershire is less than four per cent, which is considerably lower than the 12 per cent English average.

“The WIMBY scheme will be a significant step towards addressing this and most importantly will have the community at its heart. We can’t wait to get trees in the ground.”

Prof Mike Preston, Lead Member for Climate Action at Leicestershire County Council, said: “Woodland is incredibly important in communities; - it provides opportunities for recreation and improved health.

“It also helps create the kind of local environment in which people want to live and work in, as well as increasing wildlife, and helping with flood alleviation and CO2 storage.”

Applicants to the scheme may be asked to part-fund any projects or to assist with labour.

For further information call the Stepping Stones Project Officer on 0116 305 7221 or visit: www.leics.gov.uk/stepping_stones