MORE than 10,000 trees are set to be planted across the conurbation this year to help combat the ‘climate and ecological emergency’.

In November 2020, BCP Council received funding through the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund to plant 4,790 trees in urban areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

These trees will provide benefits such as natural traffic noise and pollution buffers alongside wildlife refuges.

Planting is taking place throughout the winter on sites, including Stourvale Estate, Littledown Valley, Waterman’s Park, Hatchard’s Field, Sterte Esplanade and Bearwood open spaces.

Council staff will be planting the trees.

Councillor Mark Anderson, cabinet member for environment, cleansing and waste, said: “I am delighted that the council has committed to planting so many trees around our conurbation.

“Trees are vital to our ecosystem.

“They help to combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the air, so this tree planting programme plays an important part in our sustainable environment objective to tackle the climate and ecological emergency we’re all facing.”

The latest bid for 1,600 new trees to be planted in the first few months of 2021 was approved at cabinet at the end of last year.

This bid will see the creation of a hectare of woodland at Iford Meadows as part of the council’s commitment to its Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign, which aims to improve the pride in the Meadows after a year of challenges.

An additional 4,000 trees are being planted in North Bournemouth along with the reinstatement planting of lost hedgerows at Hicks Farm.

Cllr Anderson added: “Trees can also have a positive impact on our wellbeing, helping us to feel a sense of calm in our lives and keeping us connected to nature, which has never been more important after the year we’ve all had.

“Our cleaner, greener, safer campaign is addressing the issues that really matter to bring back a sense of pride to our area and the creation of a new woodland is just one of many initiatives that are planned over the next few months to enable this to happen.”

This new planting is not related to the air festival.

The planting of trees to tackle the offset emissions from Bournemouth Air Festival 2019 was completed some time ago, according to the council.