Seed Gathering Season: Stories from community tree nurseries

Growing trees locally is becoming ever more important but have you ever wondered how a community tree nursery gets started? Join us for this Seed Gathering Season online talk as community tree nursery operators and initiators share their experiences growing trees from seed and bringing people together through local tree-growing projects.

You will hear real stories about how different types of nurseries started, the challenges and successes they've encountered, and the practical steps involved in establishing and running a community tree nursery across a range of scales and objectives. Speakers will also share advice for anyone interested in starting their own project, from finding a site and sourcing seed, to engaging volunteers and building a community.

Alongside the practicalities, we'll explore the wider benefits of community tree nurseries, including the positive impacts on wellbeing.

Whether you're an experienced tree grower, part of a community group, or simply curious about what community tree nurseries do, this session will show that growing trees locally is something anyone can be part of.

Meet the speakers: 

Dr Anne Edwards will share the story of Hethersett Community Tree Nursery, which grows locally sourced seedlings for community planting and offers trees and hedging plants to residents. In 2012, Anne became the first person to identify ash dieback in the UK, using DNA analysis to confirm the disease.

Matt Knight, Regional Lead for The Tree Council's Young Tree Champions programme and teacher at Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School, will discuss one of the country’s first school-based community tree nurseries. 

Steph Mullen, Director & Co-founder of Kids Plant Trees, will introduce Kids Plant Trees and its work with children, young people and communities to grow locally sourced trees and increase tree cover across South Yorkshire.

Audience Q&A to follow.

Can't make the live session? Don't worry. All of our online talks (unless otherwise stated) are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel the following day. We'll send the recording link to everyone who has registered, so you won't miss out.