To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage communities to engage in (i) tree planting; and (ii) community garden initiatives.

My Department’s ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme commits to planting 18 million trees to create 9,000 hectares of new woodland over the next decade. To achieve this Government departments, local government, private landowners, environmental and local community groups will contribute to the programme.

My Department operates the Forest Expansion Scheme and Small Woodland Grant Scheme which are currently open for applications including from community organisations who manage land within their portfolio. The Forest Expansion Scheme favours projects, that provide additional public access, which often align with local council and wider community interests. Local communities have been engaged frequently in tree planting initiatives led by local councils, Woodland Trust, community and social farming enterprises.

Regarding garden initiatives, my officials are currently working on a Rural Garden Pollinator Scheme and considering funding to setup or refurbish rural community gardens. The focus of the scheme would be to promote the use of shared space with enhanced pollinator habitat.