Community Partners

The HEYwoods (Hull and the East Riding Woodlands) initiative aims to increase woodland cover and to improve the management of existing trees, woods and associated habitats in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Hull and the East Riding only have 2.6 per cent woodland cover and this is dramatically less than the national average of 8.4 per cent.

A green infrastructure is especially important to economic regeneration both in urban areas and also in established rural communities. It can help to create an attractive environment for new businesses and greatly increase the appeal of new residential neighbourhoods.

The initiative is made up of representatives from government agencies, local authorities and environmental charities. It has also been working with its first private sector partner, KC, for nearly two years.

KC provides volunteers and financial support which has enabled 2,000 trees to be planted in the region over the last 18 months. Before the two organisations joined forces, the partnership was funded through grants from the public sector. The first injection of private sector funding has allowed the partnership to diversify the way in which it operates

Landscape improvement in HEYwoods is delivered in partnership with the many communities that are already choosing to plant trees as part of their local regeneration programmes. The HEYwoods initiative is managed through a steering group.

A small core management team co-ordinate activities, secure funding and implement the strategy through agreed annual action plans. 

For more information about the HEYwoods initiative contact Stephen Robinson, HEYwoods Partnership Manager on (01482) 393726 or email info@heywoods.org.uk.

www.heywoods.org.uk