Celebrating 20 years
The 20th anniversary of the national Tree Warden Scheme came to a climax during National Tree Week. Celebrations included a Scottish forum, hosted by Perth & Kinross Council and a reception at the House of Lords where Manchester Tree Warden Elaine Speakman gave guests a lively glimpse of what motivates her to champion her local trees.
Highland gathering
To round off the UK-wide programme of 20th birthday regional Tree Warden forums, Tree Wardens from across the Highlands gathered in Perth on 9 December. Temperatures dropped to -18 degrees centigrade in the week before and the snow was extremely heavy, so there were last-minute fears for the Scottish event. Fortunately a minor thaw occurred on the day, with temperatures rising to the balmy heights of -2 degrees, allowing Tree Wardens to get together after all.
After talks and discussion about trees in the 21st century and the role that global warming may have in future tree-planting strategies, everyone assembled outside in 10 inches of snow for a commemorative photograph – possibly the snowiest Tree Warden event in the 20 years of the Scheme.
During lunch – a Christmas menu – the Tree Warden’s role in the Big Society was the subject of much discussion. With similar pressures on budgets north and south of the border, the future for tree conservation will be challenging. However there has never been a more important time for volunteers such as Tree Wardens to take a major role in shaping their local communities. Scotland’s Tree Wardens, like those in the rest of the UK, will be in the forefront of this discussion.
House of Lords celebrations
Tree Wardens were among the tree champions from across the country who headed for the House of Lords on 29 November to mark 20 years of The Tree Council’s national Tree Warden Scheme and celebrate its National Tree Week. They were joined by network co-ordinators, politicians and senior local council officials for a special reception hosted by Tree Council Trustee The Lord Best OBE on behalf of The Tree Council.
“Tree Wardening is the embodiment of the Government’s ‘Big Society’ plans to engage more people in becoming ‘community organisers’,” says Lord Best. “We look forward to them spearheading government campaigns like The Big Tree Plant, particularly as the Tree Warden Scheme is stronger than ever before in urban areas – in communities which especially need trees and the benefits they bring.” He adds: “Trees must continue to be planted, and we are appealing to communities throughout the UK to carry the message to heart.”
As well as from Manchester Tree Warden Elaine Speakman, guests heard a few words from Tree Council Chairman Alastair Douglas and Forestry Commission Chairman Pam Warhurst. Scrolls were presented to East Sussex and Leicestershire County Councils to thank them and their tree volunteers for inspiring The Tree Council to develop the national Tree Warden Scheme 20 years ago. Then the event was rounded off by a slice of special birthday cake for everyone.
