Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Tree wardens wanted ...
The partnership is inviting all interested parties, including anyone who would like to become a tree warden or is just fascinated by their local trees, to go along on Tuesday October 28 to the Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge. The meeting will run from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and refreshments will be provided.

A further event has been arranged for Sunday November 16 at Oakfrith Wood, Urchfont and a formal launch of the scheme will take place on Saturday January 24.

Tree wardens are volunteers who believe trees are important in their local area and are prepared to put a little time into carrying out or encouraging practical projects. The scheme is supported nationally by the Tree Council but administered locally by the partnership. The project is not looking for experts, just people with enthusiasm. Those who sign up will receive several days of training before taking part in activities.

Vicky Roscoe, conservation projects assistant at Wiltshire County Council, said: "The aim of the project is to recruit a tree warden in every parish who will be supported by an officer based at the council. Anyone can come along to the event, whether they want to become a warden, or just want to get involved with their trees locally."

Places are limited and booking is essential. Register with Vicky Roscoe on 012225 713489 or vickyroscoe@wiltshire.gov.uk

Even if you can't attend the event, you can still register your interest in the scheme for future involvement.

The work could include planting and caring for trees and local woods, surveying trees and gathering information about them, providing early warning of disease or vandalism, getting together with like-minded people for training and field trips, leading guided tree walks, setting up tree nurseries using seeds collected locally, and getting local communities involved to make trees matter to everyone.

The scheme will be run as a partnership between Wiltshire County Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the Tree Council and other environmental organisations such as the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Recording Centre.