Sometimes WoodWatching brings unexpected gains.
Denis Stuckey’s campaign to save Bristol’s poplars had a high media profile, with both the BBC and ITV local stations running reports, interviews on Radio Bristol and coverage in 3 local newspapers - not only raising public awareness but also highlighting serious communication failings within the Council.
Forced to respond to criticism about the lack of public consultation and appropriate initial investigations that was undertaken before their rushed decision was made, the Council commissioned an independent inspection of the site; which concurred the trees were indeed dangerous and they were felled.
But…the story doesn’t end there.
Thanks to the local campaign, Bristol City Council has now:
- Formulated a Tree Policy for the future (which they had never previously had)
- ...plus established a Street Tree Forum TreeBristol to look at best practice for the management of urban trees throughout the city and working towards street tree restoration.
- Called for a new generation of street trees in Bristol through TreeBristol's newsletter, and is encouraging planting and sponsorship of community, pioneer and celebration trees across the City.
- Set up a series of planting events to celebrate this year's National Tree Week.
- Made Changes to council working practices after the campaign highlighted the poor communication with officers.
- Established much improved communication between the local community groups and local authority on issues relating to trees in the City, after being forced to take the previously unheard of step of consulting on the replacement trees.
- Recognised the group Bristol Trees as a serious organisation. The group is now involved in all trees, not just street trees in Bristol.
Better awareness and understanding of the significance of woods and trees is spreading to businesses too!
In February Bristol City Council was approached by the manager of a sports consortium which leases some land neighbouring the site, asking if it would be acceptable to plant more trees on a field adjacent to where the new trees had been planted.
In a move acknowledging the improved status of trees and woods in the area, Denis was invited to the meeting to advise and contribute to the discussion. The consortium agreed to plant a significant number of hazel trees. Dogwood "bushes" will also be planted which should collect any airborne litter from the adjacent road and bus stop and prevent it from blowing across the playing field.
The cost of these plantings will be covered by the consortium, not the council.
"More trees for the benefit of future generations!" says Denis, delighted at this newest positive outcome.
Read more about the Bristol Street Poplars on our blog