Tree Equity for Hartlepool
About the project
Hartlepool currently has one of the lowest Local Authority Tree Equity scores in the country. We're proud to be leading on Tree Equity for Hartlepool project, which is part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Linbury Trust who are supporting the first two years of work in a much bigger journey to tackle Hartlepool's low tree canopy cover.
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A UK-first
Tree Equity for Hartlepool will be a UK-first in using the Tree Equity tool comprehensively and town-wide, to form rigorous plans for change for residents where trees are needed most.
The project is running between February 2025 to May 2027, advocating for urban trees, developing strategic documents, and increasing canopy cover through tree planting with the community, to begin a journey towards a more healthy, sustainable and equitable urban forest for Hartlepool.
We’re delighted to be part of the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project as we currently have very low tree cover in the borough. Trees are not only important for wildlife; it’s a well-known fact that people who live with trees around them enjoy a better quality of life. Over the next two years there will be lots of tree planting opportunities for local people of all ages to get involved in, and we’re looking forward to that so much.
Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee
Powered by partners and people
A multi-partner project led by Trees for Cities, Tree Equity for Hartlepool has created two staff roles locally — working across planting, engagement and awareness raising of the urban forest.
Working with Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Community Forest, The Woodland Trust, Thirteen Group and Treeconomics, this partnership brings together major local landowners alongside national tree specialists to deliver a quality programme of work.
Nature Towns and Cities Coalition
We’re also delighted to share that Trees for Cities is now part of the Nature Towns and Cities coalition.
This partnership marks an exciting step forward in our mission to make trees matter, transforming urban environments through establishing trees and green spaces. By working alongside Nature Towns and Cities partners and in key places, we can help increase tree cover, enhance biodiversity, and create greener, healthier places for communities to thrive.
Project Manager Leah Johnstone, has also been recognised as a Nature Towns and Cities Nature Maker for spearheading efforts to ensure that everybody in Hartlepool gets to benefit from trees.
Community-powered action in Hartlepool
On March 6th, we held a community tree planting event at the Phoenix Centre in Hartlepool, where dozens of residents came together to help tackle the town's low tree canopy cover and celebrate the first planting season of the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project!
Read the story
Stay Informed
Be the first to hear about community planting days in Hartlepool during planting season (between October to April) by signing up to our volunteer mailing list. We'll also share the latest project updates, fascinating facts and inspirational stories, plus a number of fundraising opportunities.
Further reading
Hartlepool project to address town-wide low tree cover
1 April 2025
Tree Equity for Hartlepool will help combat the town's low canopy cover which is well below the national average.
Forgotten Places: Greening Coastal Towns and Cities
We spearheaded the Forgotten Places: Greening Coastal Towns and Cities programme to pave the way for a green revolution in coastal towns.
How the UK’s new Tree Equity Score map can be the basis for change
6 December 2023
How we can best utilise the Tree Equity Score UK map, created to help address disparities in urban tree distribution.
Let's Talk Tree Canopy Cover
18 April 2024
New research by Forest Research has categorically stated: more deprived wards are more likely to have low canopy cover.