Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
Article Source: Future Woodlands Scotland
Last Updated: 2 May 2025 10:03
Image Credit: Conor Gault Photography
Future Woodlands Scotland (FWS), the charity dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has selected the first seven projects to receive large grants of up to £100,000 from its Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund.
The Urban Forestry Programme is an ambitious ten-year project that sees FWS working alongside project founding partner bp to support and improve green spaces in Scotland’s cities, towns, and urban areas.
The seven successful projects focus on increasing access to green spaces in underserved areas, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. They aim to create a long-lasting impact on local communities, offering opportunities for outdoor education, mental and physical health improvement, and strengthening community ties. The projects include:
1. Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Creative Canopy Project, Glasgow
An arts and environmental project based in Govanhill which invites residents, artists and growers to co-create a dispersed orchard across the neighbourhood.
2. Glasgow City Council, The Glasgow Canopy Project
Planting street trees, woodland planting, hedgerows and habitat creation in the Govan and Dalmarnock areas of Glasgow.
3. St Marks Primary School, Planting our Way to a Better Future, Glasgow
Planting a combination of whips and standard trees in school grounds in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire.
4. Edible Estates, Nature Around Us, Edinburgh
Working with residents, schools and community organisations to establish woodlands and orchards within two council housing estates in Edinburgh.
5. West Lothian Council, West Lothian Urban Tree Planting Project
Planting trees in parks and public green spaces, residential areas and school grounds and giving residents the opportunity to be involved.
6. South Lanarkshire Council, Removing Barriers to Tree Planting
Planting trees in strategic locations across South Lanarkshire, with a link to Clyde Climate Forest to allow collaboration with partners.
7. City of Edinburgh Council, Canopy Communities Project
A partnership project with Granton Community Gardeners to support tree planting and ecological connectivity in three areas of the city including co-design with residents.
Funding for these projects, follows an announcement earlier this year about the first three projects - Friends of Inch Park, Friends of Linn Park and Norton Park SCIO - to receive small grants of almost £51,000 between them.
A total of 33 applications were submitted across two competitive grant categories: projects ranging from £2,000 to £20,000, and those ranging from £20,000 to £100,000.
Shireen Chambers, CEO of FWS said: “It’s been fantastic to see the response to the first year of the Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund with 10 projects selected for funding across both grant categories.
“We looked for projects with a strong urban focus which prioritise areas most in need of trees and woodlands. We want to ensure everyone can benefit from trees – by learning about them, engaging in their care or simply spending time around them.
“These greening projects will bring more trees into the heart of our towns and cities – enhancing spaces, strengthening communities and helping more people connect with nature.
“We are proud to lead this important initiative with the backing of our founding partner bp and we look forward to seeing how these projects create lasting change over the coming years.”
Projects were chosen based on the contribution they could make to the Urban Forestry Programme goal of helping towns and cities across Scotland achieve the 3:30:300 rule: everyone should see three trees from their home, every neighbourhood should have 30% tree canopy and quality green space within 300 metres.
The Govanhill Baths Community Trust was awarded £90,000 over three years for its Creative Canopy Project, which includes planting 780 fruit and nut trees as a dispersed orchard in backcourts, schools and gardens across Govanhill.
The project was inspired by global conversations about forests, creativity and long-term ecological care including how living artworks can help us rethink our relationship with trees, land and each other.
Simone Stewart, Arts and Heritage Manager at Govanhill Baths Community Trust said: “The Creative Canopy Project transforms everyday spaces into living artworks—planting trees in backcourts, derelict land, and community gardens to grow care, connection, and long-term change in Govanhill, Glasgow. Through creative workshops, seasonal celebrations, and partnerships with local organisations, the project tackles food insecurity, improves air quality, and nurtures biodiversity.
“In a neighbourhood long underserved by environmental investment, this is about more than just tree cover. It’s a creative act of growing environmental awareness and wellbeing—led by those who live here. We recognise the complexities of funding in this space, and we’re proud to be supported by an Urban Forestry Challenge Fund grant from Future Woodlands Scotland to help make it happen.”
Increasing the number of trees in Scotland’s cities and towns is crucial in supporting the journey to net zero and delivering a wide range of socio-economic benefits. Urban tree cover is currently less than 16%, much lower than the EU average of 30.2%.
Applications for funding were assessed using the Tree Equity tool, which was created to address imbalances in urban tree distribution by American Forests, a US non-profit organisation, and was brought to the UK by the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.
In addition to the 10 funded projects, the Urban Forestry Programme has also supported two pilot projects: a fruit and nut tree planting project in Stirling, and a tree warden volunteer scheme in Glasgow.
Applications for the 2025 Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund will open in November. More information on the Urban Forestry programme is available at www.futurewoodlands.org.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Lanarkshire News
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland
Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.
READ MORE
East Kilbride shopper scoops prize for CHAS in Aldi Supermarket Sweep
One lucky East Kilbride winner has raised £739.03 for Children's Hospices Across Scotland while picking up the same amount in Aldi favourites for himself on the Supermarket Sweep challenge!
READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland
The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.
READ MORE
Albino stage performer takes part in LIVE event with Amazonia to cure spider and snake fears
An Albino hypnotist and mind reader who was inspired by Derren Brown to launch a stage career has helped people to cure their fear of exotic spiders and snakes.
READ MORE
New Power Trail launches at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde
A brand new 'Power Trail' has officially launched at New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde, exploring the remarkable story of waterpower, from 18th-century cotton mills to 21st-century renewable energy.
READ MORE
M&Ds lends support to unpaid carers
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is celebrating National Carers Week (9th to 15th June) by offering exclusive discounts to unpaid carers in recognition of the huge amount work that they do.
READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM
Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.
READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores
Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.
READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade
Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party
Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.
READ MORE
How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler
Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.
READ MORE
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.
READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open
Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!
Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!
READ MORE
Miss Rachel fever hits Scotland
Miss Rachel fever, the American YouTuber who creates baby and toddler learning videos, is sweeping Scotland.
READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.
READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland
Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.
READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland
Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.
READ MORE
Aldi Scottish Sport Fund offers Glasgow and West of Scotland clubs the chance to access funding
Aldi's Scottish Sport Fund 2025 has returned for its tenth year, giving local sports clubs in Glasgow and the West of Scotland the opportunity to receive a share of £50,000 in funding.
READ MORE
Amazonia appoints new education officer
Amazonia, a temperature controlled tropical indoor attraction within M&D's Scotland's Theme Park, has appointed Courtney Whiteman as an Education Officer.
READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
Waddle over for a weekend of fun at New Lanark this Bank Holiday
New Lanark is thrilled to announce the return of its most popular family event – the Duck Festival!
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Time to get messy at M&Ds
M&D's Scotland's Theme Park is set to host Messy Play events for ASN supported families in May and June.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links