Independent Babergh environmental councillor Elisabeth Malvisi has been leading the district in working with town and parish councils this National Tree Week in order, to plant nearly 5,000 trees and hedgerow plants, and help tackle biodiversity loss.

With tree planting season in full swing, nearly 300 locally sourced trees and over 4,600 hedgerow plants are being planted across Babergh and Mid Suffolk, thanks to a new local tree planting scheme launched in 2020, including Broom Hill in Hadleigh.

The scheme forms part of the councils' Biodiversity Action Plan, aiming to protect and strengthen the districts' plant and wildlife for generations to come.

Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, Babergh's cabinet member for climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable transport, said: "Increasing the number of trees across our district is a vital part of tackling biodiversity loss and achieving the aims of our Biodiversity Action Plan.

"But, the council can't increase it to the levels we need on our own. This is why we're supporting our town and parish councils to work with us to ensure Babergh's environment remains a place people are proud to live and work in for generations to come."

Last year, Babergh put out a call to their towns and parishes to apply for free trees and hedgerow plants to plant on their own publicly accessible land.

More than 20 successful applications were received, with some parishes applying to carry out more than one planting project.

The trees and plants, as well as stakes, guards and planting advice have been provided by the district councils. However, the town and parish councils will be responsible for maintaining the trees and hedges.

The scheme is due to reopen for applications for 2022 planting schemes in the New Year. Guidance around eligibility and how to apply will be sent out to all town and parish councils and posted on the councils' website.

It builds on steps already taken by the councils to increase tree coverage in their patch, including gifting more than 1,000 trees to new parents through their Tree for Life scheme.

They have also successfully secured a share of £150k with other Suffolk councils to plant around 3,000 trees in the county.

Two hundred of these will be located across Broom Hill in Hadleigh, Needham Lake in Needham Market, and Greens Meadow in Stowmarket and dedicated to the Queen's Green Canopy in Suffolk, being coordinated by the Suffolk Lieutenancy carrying out mapping of existing and potential wildlife corridors, as well as a survey of the districts' current tree canopy

Babergh continue's to engage with local town and parish councils to establish the most appropriate locations to plant wildflower meadows across the districts.