Our non-profit organisation was set up as part of the Tree Warden Scheme, by BCC‘s Tree Officers, several years ago back in 2016. The charity, that came to be known as Birmingham TreePeople, consists of knowledgeable professionals within the arboriculture industry, prepared to use their skills and expertise to plant, protect and promote trees and the urban forest.
The urban forest is far more important than given credit for. Tree canopies provide shade and help reduce urban heating, they help with storm-water drainage, and their production of oxygen helps offset the carbon footprint, improving the air quality. That’s why we, and our urban forest volunteers, undertake every project with this in mind. We want to make the city a greener place to live.
What do Birmingham TreePeople do?
Gather Information
We used iTree software to survey the entire city to calculate the benefits of the urban forest. This is a big task that was completed in 2023. This kind of citizen science research (like our street tree survey, iTree Eco, etc.) helps to develop better records for trees in the City of Birmingham. In particular, under the guidelines and to meet targets of our Urban Forest Master Plan.
Our Urban Forest Volunteers also look out for pests and diseases, vandalism or damage, amongst other problems, on city trees to alert tree officers. They also spot and report planning breaches.
Practical Green Projects
Urban Forest Volunteers organise activities in their local parks and open spaces. These workshops and community events include, but are not limited to:
Tree Planting | Tree Care | Pruning | Mulching | Nursery Links | Tree Identification Walks | Arts & Crafts Activities | Tree Trails | Street Tree Surveying | Treemembrance
Liaison & Community Engagement
Urban Forest Volunteers link with local Councillors over issues affecting trees in their wards, using communication skills and knowledge. This helps local councils support their neighborhoods with better resources and information.
Urban Forest Volunteers support landowners over the trees on their land, in order to preserve residential, urban trees. Trees within housing areas are of great importance for increasing tree benefits to improve communities.
Thanks to our liaison skills, community engagement, our policies and projects, BTP gained the status of Tree City of the World in 2019. This is great achievement for our non-profit organisation, and will continue our work with greater determination.
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