Registration

Ministerial address
Trudy Harrison MP

Setting out the case for trees

Richard Stanford, Forestry Commission's CEO will look at the value and opportunities for corridor planting and the need to do more.
The need to plant trees is known, but we all need to do more. Balancing the land use requirements of across the country is a key challenge. We cannot do this in isolation. Collaboration will enable us to grow trees that can improve health and well being, benefit biodiversity and help meet net zero targets.

The rail journey to a greener, cleaner future

An overview of Network Rail and the Forestry Commission's important partnership, working together to make sure the rights trees and habitats are in the right place.

Network Rail is custodian of a thin strip of the British countryside. It already manages over six million trees at the same time as a 125mph railway. That management has, in the past, come under scrutiny for the impact it has on our neighbours, both human and wildlife. Going forward we need to make sure the right trees and habitats are in the right place. We can contribute to nature recovery across Britain by using our green corridor to join up isolated communities and enable species to thrive in a relatively undisturbed environment.
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Network Rail Chair

The feasibility of growing trees next to the railway in Britain

An overview of the Lineside 2035 feasibility project and designing an infrastructure woodland edge.

The Lineside 2035 feasibility project has taken remote sensed habitat data together with other datasets on protected areas, accessibility and agricultural land quality to identity locations that could be suitable for tree planting. By creating an infrastructure woodland edge, the subsequent management of these trees and other habitats can be done safely and efficiently without affecting operations on the linear infrastructure.

Dr Neil Strong, Biodiversity Strategy Mgr, Network Rail

Trees and trains - growing green corridors

Taking Lineside 2035 out into the field and testing the concept.

The challenge of getting numerous landowners to collaborate and create space for trees should not be underestimated. Grant schemes such as the England Woodland Creation Offer are available to help this process. But this work should not be restricted to government funding. It is key that the trees which are planted establish, are maintained and then can contribute to nature recovery. In addition, there can be opportunity for carbon sequestration and biodiversity improvements.

Dr Neil Strong, Biodiversity Strategy Mgr, Network Rail

Introducing the group sessions

Dr Neil Strong, Biodiversity Strategy Mgr, Network Rail

Working group sessions

Group discussions to review and analyse key learnings from the day. For example,

• What is the potential for corridor tree planting?
• How will this be aligned with targets for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, air quality, health & wellbeing?
• What are the barriers to corridor tree planting?

Break

Panel Discussion

An opportunity to put questions from the day to our expert panel.

• Tom Macfarlane (farmer)
• Martin Frobisher (NR)
• Anna Brown (FC)
• Sara Lom (Tree Council)
• John Parker (Arboricultural Association)
• Chair: John Varley (Clinton Devon)

Closing address
Andrew Haines