Our Vision

Our Mission

We want to awaken people to the stark absence of native woodlands, urban trees and wild nature near to or within our urban environments, and the many problems this causes at both a micro and macro level. We believe that increasing the number and diversity of carefully selected plant species in accessible public spaces can act as a vital window into the natural world for urban inhabitants; reconnecting people with nature, capturing imaginations and helping to generate a lasting interest in nature. Our towns and cities should be reimagined on regenerative principles; that everything in life and the environment is connected. The benefits of restoring nature to our urban environments cannot be underestimated.

We believe that a coherent, coordinated and holistic greening strategy is needed to deliver transformative, lasting change within all of our urban environs. This must be led by central government, include funding streams and protected biodiversity budgets, and empower local councils and communities to deliver on many and varied urban greening projects. We will advocate for this as one of our many proposed solutions to the biodiversity crisis. We there are several exciting local greening projects are already in motion, led primarily by activists and volunteers a overarching framework is essential to guide and inform future work at a national level.

We believe that local community involvement is vital for long term success of biodiversity projects. We will work with local communities to encourage them to take an interest in the selection, planting and care of trees on their streets and green spaces.

We want to end the “Green Apartheid” which exists across our cities and suburbs by ensuring equitable funding for greening projects and prioritisation of communities with few green spaces and little biodiversity. The social benefits of urban tree planting projects apply to all communities and mature tree canopies should be enjoyed by all future generations no matter where they live.  All suburbs should be leafy suburbs.

We will promote appropriate tree planting in traditional and novel locations and empower communities to lobby for and take ownership of local tree planting initiatives. We advocate for the planting of both native and non-native species in our city. Planting of natives is crucial to enhance biodiversity particularly in areas of concentrated trees where mini ecosystems and city forests can be created. Additionally we acknowledge the value of non-native species which can help to generate an interest in the diversity and wonders of trees, and often thrive in the unique micro climate of cities. 

We recognise the importance of allowing space for the natural regeneration of nature in appropriate spaces and will advocate for the establishment of a national programme to rewild our urban communities.

We will collaborate on the development of “Green corridors” within urban environments by linking local woodlands, dense urban forests on parklands or private settings with carefully planned street tree planting and protected areas of shrub and engage with local councils to identify existing barriers and work towards satisfactory resolution.

Lastly we will use our website and other online platforms to create biodiversity networks, promote and support specific projects and offer the public an opportunity to ‘Get Involved’ in the Urban Tree Revival.