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• 拢2.5 million tree planting fund opens to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
• Funding will support local authorities to plant thousands of trees across the country.
• Applications open from today (22 August) will bring communities closer to nature.

Thousands of trees are set to be planted to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III with a new government fund launching today (Tuesday 22 August), celebrating His Majesty鈥檚 passion for the environment.

The new 拢2.5 million fund will enable local authorities to create green spaces and connect communities with nature as a permanent reminder of the Coronation, while helping meet the government鈥檚 targets to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and ensure that 16.5% of land area is under tree cover by 2050.

The projects will create new community orchards and micro woodlands in urban areas.

This tree planting initiative aligns with His Majesty鈥檚 interest in nature, having held a number of patronages for wildlife and conservation charities during his time serving as the Prince of Wales.

The Fund follows the launch of a number initiatives to mark the Coronation of His Majesty earlier this year, including the renaming of England鈥檚 longest national trail as the 鈥楰ing Charles III England Coast Path鈥�, the launch of the 鈥楰ing鈥檚 series of National Nature Reserves鈥�, and Forestry England鈥檚 creation of the first official in April 2023.

Through the Government鈥檚 Environmental Improvement Plan we want to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it and for more people to聽get out and experience our incredible wildlife and landscapes in this Coronation year.

Environment Secretary, Th茅r猫se Coffey said:

Building on the launch of the first Coronation Woodlands this year, I am delighted that communities across the country will be able to create new spaces to enjoy trees which will serve as a permanent reminder of His Majesty鈥檚 Coronation in their local areas.

These new trees will mark His Majesty鈥檚 passion for trees and woodlands and deliver a range of benefits for the natural environment - from carbon sequestration, to habitat creation and the boosting of human health and wellbeing鈥�.

Chair of the Forestry Commission, Sir William Worsley said:

I am delighted that today we are opening the Coronation Living Heritage Fund to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. This will enable communities to grow new and diverse trees to enrich the environment in which people, wildlife, and nature coexist for generations to come鈥�.

Applications are welcome today (22 August) from county, unitary, metropolitan, London borough, district and city local authorities in England,聽for grants between 拢10,000 - 拢50,000. Projects eligible for funding will cover:

• Coronation Micro Woods: to plant miniature areas of woodland in urban areas using rapid establishment techniques, involving careful soil preparation to rapidly plant dense native woodlands that are usually the size of a tennis court.
• Coronation Community Orchards: to provide grants for local people and groups to establish community orchards;

These projects will be run by local authorities that apply successfully to the fund. Other groups, such as parish councils, housing associations and community groups, that are keen to get involved can contact their relevant county, unitary, metropolitan borough or district council.

The fund will be open for five weeks from Tuesday 22 August to Monday 26 September, with the deadline for clarification questions on Tuesday 19 September.

Read our guidance on how to apply for the Coronation Living Heritage Fund.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Coronation Living Heritage Fund will make a total of 拢2.5 million available as part Defra鈥檚 Nature for Climate Fund, which has allocated 拢640 million for projects aimed at expanding and enhancing tree cover across England. The trees planted through this fund will capture carbon, restore and connect habitats, while helping meet the government鈥檚 targets to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and ensure that 16.5% of land area is under tree cover by 2050.
• Defra will provide support to local authorities by sharing detailed 鈥榟ow to鈥� guides for each of the two types of eligible projects. Applications can be made by county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan and London borough, as well as district and city local authorities. These councils and authorities will be able to bid on behalf of parish and town local authorities, local residents, community groups, farmers, and landowners. These groups should contact the tree officer or environmental team in their corresponding local authority to ask them to submit an application on their behalf.
• Defra will also provide support through two Q&A sessions that will be run by the Tree Council, where you can hear from the local authority officers who have piloted these projects. Defra colleagues will also be on hand to answer questions about the fund.

• We have a number of existing Nature for Climate Fund initiatives where local communities can engage with and receive the benefits of local tree planting, including:

• The Community Forests programme which works in and around towns and cities and where local need is greatest.
• The Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) which enables Local Authorities (LAs) and their partners, including schools, community groups and NGOs, to restore tree cover in urban and rural non-woodland areas.

• The Urban Tree Challenge Fund provides 80% of standard costs for the planting and establishment of trees in urban and peri-urban areas.

• Read more information on the Coronation Living Heritage Fund.
• Read more information on the renaming of the England Coastal Path.
• Read more information on the聽creation of the King鈥檚 Series of Nature Reserves.
• Read more information on the聽.