The council say the tree planting scheme aims to expand forested areas and reduce carbon gases, with the growing trees capturing carbon and mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
It has been funded from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The council says its Green Space Enhancement Project at Sker Farm runs alongside other tree planting initiatives. These include the new community woodland at Aberfields in the Ogmore Valley, funded by the council’s core tree management budget, and a community wildlife space in Heol y Cyw, developed through the Local Places for Nature Project, supported by Welsh Government.
(Image: Bridgend County Borough Council)
Sker farmer, Tony Evans, has allocated a portion of land to support biodiversity, which he says illustrates how farmers can manage their land with some autonomy, whilst still adhering to the Welsh Government guidelines offered to farmers.
The Welsh Government policy has proven controversial however, with large scale protests taken by farmers who oppose the changes to farm subsidies and the percentage of farmland needed to be given over to tree planting.
Bridgend Council say the success of the Sker farm scheme is has come through a “shared commitment to the environment and community engagement”.
Bridgend Countryside Volunteers have helped to plant the trees, including Hazel, Rowan, Crab Apple, and Hawthorn varieties, who cite receiving a “host of wellbeing benefits” from the project. One volunteer said: “This is a vigorous work out! And so good for my mental health!”
(Image: Bridgend County Borough Council)
Farmer, Tony Evans, said: “Partnering with the council throughout the Green Space Enhancement Project has been a good experience. I fully welcome the opportunity for tree planting on this land and have long been an advocate for proactive conservation efforts, wanting to make a contribution to a greener, more sustainable future.”
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor John Spanswick, said: “Initiatives like the Green Space Enhancement Project are not only beneficial to promoting biodiversity, but also ensure the sustainability of agricultural practices, thereby positively affecting livestock, ecology and climate resilience.
“We very much appreciate the collaboration with Sker Farm. Our relationships with farmers are pivotal in paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)
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