Tree London

Tree London
Name	Tree London
Type	Charity
Founded	2007
Headquarters	London
Region served	Greater London
Products	Urban tree planting, tree care, community engagement

Tree London is a London-based charity focused on planting, protecting and promoting trees across the capital. Founded to address urban greening, the organisation works with local authorities, community groups and partners to deliver tree-planting, maintenance and education programmes. Its activities intersect with urban planning, public health and environmental initiatives across boroughs such as Hackney, Waltham Forest, Barnet and Lambeth.

History

The organisation was established in 2007 amid rising civic interest following campaigns by groups linked to The Woodland Trust, The Tree Council and urban projects inspired by events like the London 2012 Olympics. Early collaborations involved boroughs including Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Islington and drew expertise from institutions such as the Royal Horticultural Society and Kew Gardens. Influences included national policy shifts connected to the Climate Change Act 2008 and municipal initiatives under successive Mayor of London administrations. Over time it partnered with environmental charities like Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace-adjacent campaigns, while also engaging corporate supporters from sectors represented by firms associated with HSBC, Barclays and Transport for London projects.

Mission and activities

The charity’s mission aligns with targets set by the Greater London Authority and complements strategies advanced by the UK Government's environmental departments and civic programmes including the London Environment Strategy. Activities encompass site selection with borough councils such as Camden, Greenwich and Hackney, tree-planting events on public land and schools in collaboration with bodies like City Hall (London), National Trust education teams and youth organisations such as The Scout Association and Girlguiding. It also offers technical guidance informed by research from universities such as University College London, Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London.

Projects and programmes

Major programmes include large-scale street-tree initiatives, urban canopy projects and community orchard schemes developed alongside partners including London Wildlife Trust, Trees for Cities and the Woodland Trust. Specific projects have intersected with transport and infrastructure programmes run by Transport for London and regeneration schemes in areas overseen by entities like the London Legacy Development Corporation. Educational programmes are delivered in partnership with institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and local school networks connected to Department for Education frameworks. Citizen-facing campaigns have referenced international movements such as International Day of Forests and worked with corporate volunteering schemes tied to companies linked to Santander and Barclays.

Partnerships and funding

Funding and partnerships span public, private and philanthropic sources. Grants have come from municipal bodies like the Greater London Authority and legacy funds related to the London 2012 Olympics, foundations including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and charitable trusts such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Corporate partnerships have involved firms operating in London financial districts including entities from Canary Wharf Group and multinational partners with CSR strategies aligned to the United Nations Environment Programme. Collaborative research and monitoring have been undertaken with academic partners such as King’s College London, Birkbeck, University of London and third-sector organisations like Groundwork.

Impact and evaluation

Impact assessments reference metrics used by civic strategies like the London Environment Strategy and academic studies from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge research centres. Reported outcomes include increases in urban canopy cover in boroughs such as Waltham Forest and improvements in local biodiversity monitored with partners including ZSL London Zoo and the London Wildlife Trust. Evaluation methodologies draw on ecosystem services frameworks promoted by organisations such as the Royal Society and research consortia connected to Natural England. Health and wellbeing impacts have been discussed in conjunction with public health bodies like NHS England and local directors of public health in boroughs including Lewisham.

Governance and organisation

The charity operates with a board of trustees drawn from sectors represented by professionals affiliated with institutions like Royal Horticultural Society, academic posts at University College London and executives from organisations similar to London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Operational delivery teams liaise with borough tree officers in councils such as Haringey, Merton and Bexley and coordinate volunteers through platforms including Team London and volunteer networks associated with Timebanking initiatives. Compliance and reporting align with standards expected by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Public engagement and volunteering

Public engagement includes volunteer planting days, training workshops and outreach in partnership with community groups like Friends of the Earth local branches, tenants’ associations in estates managed by organisations such as Peabody Trust and youth programmes run with schools linked to Teach First networks. Volunteering channels include corporate days coordinated with firms in the City of London and ongoing community stewardship supported by networks such as London Citizens. Media and communications have used platforms including collaborations with outlets like BBC London, coverage connected to events at Somerset House and social campaigns aligned with international observances like Earth Day.

Category:Environmental charities based in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in London