In October 2019, Essex County Council committed to plant £1 million worth of trees over the next five years as part of the Essex Forest Initiative. This will include planting 375,000 trees, over 150 hectares, equivalent to the size of 210 football pitches. Locally, Castle Point will benefit from over 6,000 newly planted trees as part of the initiative.

The primary reason for creating the Essex Forest Initiative is to lock up carbon, offsetting the carbon produced which is contributing to ongoing climate change. But there are many other good reasons to plant forests and trees, such as to improve air quality, encourage biodiversity, and reduce flooding.

Rebecca Harris MP was able to help the Essex Forest Initiative locally in Castle Point by joining and assisting a group of volunteers and council staff who were planting over 1,000 trees in corners of Benfleet Playing Fields.

Rebecca Harris MP commented:

“A huge thank you to the volunteers and council staff who are helping to plant over 6,000 trees around Castle Point as part of Essex County Council's Essex Forest Initiative's to plant over 375,000 trees in the County over five years.

“A few weeks ago I joined a group planting over 1,000 trees in corners of Benfleet Playing Fields. Despite the groggy weather, I think everyone had a great time knowing they were planting trees that local residents will get to enjoy for many years into the future.”

Rebecca Harris would like to encourage everyone to get involved with the Essex Forest Initiative. This could be individuals, schools, organisations, voluntary organisations or parish councils. Whether you can provide land, plant trees, or help with events, Essex County Council would like to hear from you. For the latest news and information or to get in touch, please visit the Essex Forest Initiative Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/EssexForest.

You can also read more about the Essex Forest Initiative on Essex County Council’s website at: www.essex.gov.uk/the-essex-forest-initiative.