Led by Professor Jill Edmondson (School of Biosciences) with Dr Paul Brindley (School of Architecture and Landscape) and funded by the Grantham Centre Regional Readiness Fund, the multi-disciplinary team is composed of colleagues specialising in ecology, environmental science, social science, and landscape architecture. They are working in close partnership with key regional bodies and stakeholders, including the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Nuttgens Urban Forestry, and Treeconomics.
The initiative aims to provide a coordinated, evidence-based approach to tree stewardship across the region and directly supports South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard’s pledge to plant 1.4 million trees, aligning with SYMCA's commitment to a people-led approach to nature.
This is a really exciting opportunity to bring all the knowledge and experience of local communities, urban forest managers, local policy-makers and researchers to develop a pathway for a sustainable and resilient treescape across South Yorkshire.
Professor Jill Edmondson
The team will employ a three-phase approach to develop a sustainable regional treescape pathway. Initially, ‘Understanding the Baseline’ will compile comprehensive, species-level data from various sources to establish the current treescape. Next, the ‘People and Trees’ phase will investigate "tree equity" using spatial analysis, community consultation, and recognised urban forestry guidelines (like the 3-30-300 rule) to map planting opportunities - focusing on links to public health, active travel, and green entrepreneurship. Finally, ‘Pathways for a Sustainable Treescape’ will use the insights from the first two phases to inform extensive stakeholder engagement, resulting in a set of policy-making recommendations for long-term sustainable management.
By identifying areas of greatest need and opportunity, this project will provide key evidence to support future planting initiatives, supporting the goal of a climate-resilient landscape that fosters healthier communities and the creation of new green jobs.