Community Orchards, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

The challenge

Nature-based solutions are an important, though somewhat less prioritised, part of the decarbonisation challenge. Nature-based solutions can also offer opportunities for communities to engage with the climate emergency, with activities that may seem more manageable, tangible and as well as offering wider benefits such as biodiversity gain, wellbeing and quality of place.

The solution

Community development officers working for Redcar & Cleveland Council developed community orchards in East Cleveland. As part of this scheme, members of the community are trained to graft and care for trees. Members of the community then act as volunteers to take care and maintain the orchard. The council aims to bring together volunteering and educational development across its parks and tree-planting programmes.

The impact

The community’s Brotton Orchard Project was planted in January 2022, with trees and planting support provided by the Countryside Team (a group of volunteers) and the Community Development Team. A total of 45 trees were planted, most of which have been successful. In the future, it is planned that wildflower areas, bulb planting and community engagement activities will be introduced.

The orchard projects have resulted in good community engagement and are being well looked after by the community. In 3-5 years’ time, these trees will begin to bear fruit which can be consumed by the community.

The council is measuring the number of people that get trained and the impact they have after they have received training - whether they continue volunteering and have a ripple effect.

Lessons learnt

These projects highlight the need for effective engagement and communication with residents at an early stage to ensure residents are aware of the aspiration, why it is being delivered this way and how they can participate.