We are grateful to the KOKO Foundation for their fantastic sponsorship of this fantastic project and look forward to rolling this out across the borough of Camden and beyond, during 23/24.
Communi-trees is a unique project is based on trees being planted on estates around the borough of Camden, and young people living on the estates being paid to water and care for the trees, as opposed to council contractors driving in, often from out of the borough.
Communi-trees is a climate action project which engages communities, particularly under-represented young people. Communi-trees connects local residents with nature, acting as a springboard for further climate action and helps to reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change through increased tree coverage.
As well as the many ecological benefits of planting trees, at the heart of this project is an opportunity for young people to gain valuable experience caring for the trees as well as being paid to water the trees over the Spring and Summer.
During the planting season in 2022, Koko sponsored the launch of the Communi-tree pilot project with the planting of 18 mature trees at the Peckwater estate, NW5 and the Goldington Estate, NW1. During the planting season in 2022, Koko sponsored the launch of the Communi-tree pilot project with the planting of 18 mature trees at the Peckwater estate, NW5 and the Goldington Estate, NW1. Two young residents, Musa and Sadiya took on the role of becoming a Camden/KOKO Forester and looking after the trees on their estates.
During 2023, 70 more Communi-trees were planted at 6 more estates including the Templar House in Kilburn, Maitland Park Estate NW3, Bayham Estate NW1, Regents park Estate NW1, Bourne Estate, EC1N, Clarence Way, NW1.
Post Covid, it is more important than ever that young people have access to nature, not only to address the ecological crisis, but the crisis of wellbeing.
We have enjoyed welcoming our new young Camden/KOKO Foresters to the Communi-tree team: Maryam, Mohammed, Alex, Kyrre, Kaidenleigh, Chrissie, Isabella, Tegan, Cody, Mariem, Maisha, Simba and Tito.
Can you imagine if all our estates across London were planted with Communi-trees that were looked after by paid young foresters living on the estate? We say, let’s keep it local. Ultimately, we hope to see the Communi-trees model being implemented across all London boroughs, as well as sharing this learning nationally to inspire further roll out.
The planting of the 70 Communi-trees during 2023, plus 25 fruit trees planted at local schools, means that this rewilding project has added just under 20% to the total public tree planting in the borough of Camden this year.
Here is a poster from one of the community tree planting days:
