Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has planted 15,000 trees and shrubs across 54 acres of land in Upper Broughton, creating Rushcliffe Woods. This initiative aims to combat climate change and protect the local landscape, offsetting over 230 tonnes of carbon each year. The transformed area, equivalent to 30 football pitches, includes meadows and wetlands, and features thousands of native broadleaf trees funded by grants and planted by Greenwood Community Forest.
Carbon Neutrality Goals
The project offsets 64% of the council's current carbon output, equivalent to the annual emissions of 16 houses. It also provides the village of Upper Broughton with its first publicly accessible large green space. This effort supports the Forestry Commission's target to increase tree cover in England from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
Council Leadership Comments
Councillor Neil Clarke, Leader of RBC, stated: "An astonishing 15,000 trees and hedges have now been planted as we look to offset even more carbon from our day-to-day operations. We are one of just a handful of councils nationally with a project of this nature on this scale, and it is testament to our ongoing commitment to environmental priorities." He added that a similar site at Wolds Woods in Kinoulton will see over 40,000 trees planted by the end of summer.
Carbon Clever Project
Since 2020, the Carbon Clever project has significantly reduced carbon output. The council invested over £5 million in measures at leisure centres in Cotgrave and Keyworth last year, and over 90% of its vehicle fleet now runs on electric or vegetable oil. Clarke hopes the tree planting will inspire other organisations to explore carbon offsetting.
Nature Recovery Strategy
The site is identified in the new Nottinghamshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy as an area of particular importance for nature recovery.
Greenwood Community Forest Partnership
Rachael Rickell, Woodland Creation Officer at Greenwood Community Forest, said: "Since 2020, we have supported landowners by offering grants to plant trees funded by the Defra Trees for Climate programme. We were very pleased to support Rushcliffe Borough Council in creating this new woodland. To date, we have supported over 230 schemes, planting over 800,000 trees and creating 660 hectares of new woodland."
