Sustainable Energy Network Staveley, in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, has created a new woodland for the future, thanks to a ‘One Tree per Resident’ grant from Westmorland and Furness Council.

Approximately 1,000 native trees have been planted in Staveley following several successful community tree-planting days organised by Sustainable Energy Network Staveley (SENS).

The sessions, held during February, adjacent to Craggy Woods Nature Reserve, brought together SENS volunteers, local residents and members of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Young Rangers group.

Dave Plumb, Treasurer of SENS explained: “There’s something incredibly special about planting a tree and knowing that in years to come you’ll be able to say, we helped create that.

These sessions have been about more than just planting trees, they’ve been about community, shared purpose and creating something lasting for Staveley.”

The events were supported by Staveley Woodlands Officer, Danni Metcalfe from Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

The planting forms part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s One Tree per Resident initiative, which aims to plant one tree or one metre of hedgerow equivalent for every resident across the area.

The five-year programme has a target of 250,000 trees, with more than 41,000 already planted.

Through the scheme, SENS secured native woodland trees for the community.

These have been planted to complete the new woodland corridor connecting two areas of the Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve.

Danni Metcalfe, Staveley Woodlands Officer, Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “I am always inspired when working with communities like Staveley.

“It is a joy to see people of all ages coming together, whatever the weather, with a shared purpose and taking meaningful action for nature.”

The new woodland will provide long-term benefits for the village, enhancing the landscape, supporting wildlife and creating a permanent green space for future generations.

Tree planting is widely recognised for improving air and water quality, capturing carbon and supporting natural flood management, while also strengthening community connections through shared action.

Community involvement remains central to the project.

The initiative has already sparked interest from Staveley CE Primary School, which is keen to take part in the near future.

Residents who would like to help with future planting days, or who are interested in planting trees on their own land or in their gardens, are encouraged to get in touch at senstaveley@gmail.com