More%20than%2023%2C000%20trees%20are%20being%20planted%20across%20the%20South%20Downs%20National%20Park%20this%20winter%20as%20part%20of%20a%20scheme%20aimed%20at%20helping%20disease-hit%20woodlands%20flourish%20again.%0A%0AThe%20national%20park%20authority%20has%20announced%2020%20sites%20across%20Sussex%20and%20Hampshire%20for%20the%20plantings%20as%20part%20of%20its%20target%20to%20plant%20100%2C000%20trees%20across%20the%20region.%0A%0AThe%20trees%20will%20replace%20those%20lost%20to%20pests%20and%20diseases%2C%20including%20ash%20dieback%20and%20Dutch%20elm%20disease%2C%20as%20well%20as%20creating%20new%20habitats%20for%20wildlife%20and%20providing%20new%20woodland%20for%20local%20communities.%0A%0AThose%20being%20planted%20are%20a%20mixture%20of%20disease-resistant%20elms%20and%20native%20species%2C%20such%20as%20oak%20and%20black%20poplar%2C%20and%20sites%20include%20schools%2C%20farms%2C%20recreation%20grounds%20and%20historic%20parks.%0A%0AMore%20than%20%C2%A3230%2C000%20has%20been%20raised%20for%20the%20initiative%2C%20including%20a%20donation%20from%20the%20American%20Express%20Foundation%20which%20has%20funded%205%2C000%20trees.%0A%0AThe%20project%20comes%20as%20research%20from%20the%20Woodland%20Trust%20shows%20that%20one%20third%20of%20all%20woodland%20species%20in%20the%20UK%20are%20in%20decline%20and%20one%20in%2010%20is%20at%20risk%20of%20extinction.%0A%0ANick%20Heasman%2C%20a%20countryside%20and%20policy%20manager%20for%20the%20national%20park%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9COur%20tree-scape%20supports%20a%20wealth%20of%20wildlife%2C%20from%20rare%20insects%20to%20nesting%20birds%20and%20complex%20fungi.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThey%20also%20give%20us%20air%20to%20breathe%2C%20with%20a%20single%20mature%20tree%20producing%20enough%20oxygen%20in%20a%20year%20to%20sustain%2010%20people.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHowever%2C%20our%20wonderful%20trees%20are%20under%20unprecedented%20threat%20from%20an%20ever-increasing%20number%20of%20pests%20and%20diseases%2C%20as%20well%20as%20climate%20change.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThey%E2%80%99re%20under%20threat%20from%20climate%20change%2C%20but%20trees%20are%20also%20part%20of%20solution%20as%20the%20ultimate%20carbon%20capturer.%20The%20entire%20woodland%20ecosystem%20plays%20a%20massive%20role%20in%20locking%20up%20carbon%2C%20including%20the%20wood%2C%20roots%2C%20leaves%2C%20soils%20and%20associated%20plants.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIncreasing%20the%20number%20and%20diversity%20of%20our%20native%20trees%2C%20and%20carefully%20introducing%20new%20species%20into%20the%20landscape%2C%20is%20going%20to%20be%20a%20big%20help%20in%20responding%20to%20all%20these%20threats%20and%20also%20helping%20to%20reverse%20biodiversity%20loss.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AA%20batch%20of%20trees%20is%20being%20delivered%20this%20winter%20to%20Woodingdean%2C%20near%20Brighton.%0A%0AClare%20Millett%20Hopkins%2C%20chairwoman%20of%20Woodingdean%20Wilderness%20Group%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ll%20be%20involving%20our%20community%20in%20a%20planting%20event%20to%20help%20plant%20out%20the%201%2C000%20native%20deciduous%20trees%20in%20December.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20a%20lovely%20opportunity%20to%20bring%20everyone%20together%2C%20of%20all%20ages%2C%20to%20plant%20the%20trees%20and%20support%20our%20wildlife%20and%20build%20an%20appreciation%20for%20our%20natural%20environment.%E2%80%9D

Reviving nature in South Downs: 23K tree planting

Hundreds%20of%20communities%20around%20the%20US%20will%20share%20more%20than%20%241bn%20in%20federal%20money%20to%20help%20them%20plant%20and%20maintain%20trees%20under%20a%20federal%20program%20that%20is%20intended%20to%20reduce%20extreme%20heat%2C%20benefit%20health%20and%20improve%20access%20to%20nature.%0A%0AThe%20US%20agriculture%20secretary%2C%20Tom%20Vilsack%2C%20will%20announce%20the%20%241.13bn%20in%20funding%20for%20385%20projects%20at%20an%20event%20on%20Thursday%20morning%20in%20Cedar%20Rapids%2C%20Iowa.%0A%0AThe%20tree%20planting%20efforts%20will%20be%20focused%20on%20marginalized%20areas%20in%20all%2050%20states%20as%20well%20as%20Washington%20DC%2C%20Puerto%20Rico%2C%20the%20Virgin%20Islands%20and%20some%20tribal%20nations.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20believe%20we%20can%20create%20more%20resilient%20communities%20in%20terms%20of%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%2C%E2%80%9D%20Vilsack%20told%20reporters%20in%20previewing%20his%20announcement.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20think%20we%20can%20mitigate%20extreme%20heat%20incidents%20and%20events%20in%20many%20of%20the%20cities.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIn%20announcing%20the%20grants%20in%20Cedar%20Rapids%2C%20Vilsack%20will%20spotlight%20the%20eastern%20Iowa%20city%20of%20135%2C000%20people%20that%20lost%20thousands%20of%20trees%20during%20an%20extreme%20windstorm%20during%20the%20summer%20of%202020.%20Cedar%20Rapids%20has%20made%20the%20restoration%20of%20its%20tree%20canopy%20a%20priority%20since%20that%20storm%2C%20called%20a%20derecho%2C%20and%20will%20receive%20%246m%20in%20funding%20through%20the%20new%20grants.%0A%0AOther%20grant%20recipients%20include%20some%20of%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20largest%20cities%2C%20such%20as%20New%20York%2C%20Houston%20and%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20and%20much%20smaller%20communities%2C%20such%20as%20Tarpon%20Springs%2C%20Florida%2C%20and%20Hutchinson%2C%20Kansas.%0A%0ABrenda%20Mallory%2C%20chair%20of%20the%20White%20House%20Council%20on%20Environmental%20Quality%2C%20planned%20to%20join%20Vilsack%20at%20the%20Iowa%20event.%20She%20told%20reporters%20earlier%20that%20many%20communities%20have%20lacked%20access%20to%20nature%20and%20that%20all%20the%20tree%20grants%20would%20benefit%20marginalized%20and%20underrepresented%20communities.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CEveryone%20should%20have%20access%20to%20nature%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mallory%20said.%20%E2%80%9CUrban%20forests%20can%20really%20play%20a%20key%20role%20in%20ensuring%20both%20that%20access%20but%20also%20increasing%20the%20climate%20resilience%20of%20communities%2C%20helping%20reduce%20extreme%20heat%20and%20making%20communities%20more%20livable.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20federal%20money%20comes%20from%20the%20Inflation%20Reduction%20Act.

US launches $1bn tree-planting scheme

AstraZeneca%20has%20expanded%20its%20global%20reforestation%20programme%20with%20an%20enhanced%20commitment%20to%20plant%20over%20200%20million%20trees%20worldwide%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%2C%20backed%20by%20%24400m%20of%20fresh%20investment.%0A%0AThe%20British%20pharmaceuticals%20giant%20has%20today%20unveiled%20plans%20for%20a%20host%20of%20new%20or%20expanded%20reforestation%20projects%20spanning%20over%20100%2C000%20hectares%20worldwide%20across%20Brazil%2C%20India%2C%20Vietnam%2C%20Ghana%2C%20and%20Rwanda%2C%20in%20a%20move%20aimed%20at%20supporting%20nature%20restoration%20and%20nature-based%20carbon%20removal.%0A%0AThe%20investment%20builds%20on%20the%20firm's%20AZ%20Forest%20initiative%2C%20first%20announced%20in%202020%2C%20through%20which%20it%20pledged%20to%20plant%20and%20maintain%20more%20than%2050%20million%20trees%20worldwide%20by%20the%20end%20of%202025%20%22in%20recognition%20of%20the%20strong%20connection%20between%20healthy%20people%20and%20a%20healthy%20planet%22.%0A%0ASince%20then%2C%20the%20company%20claims%20to%20have%20planted%20more%20than%2010.5%20million%20trees%20encompassing%20around%20300%20tree%20species%20across%20Australia%2C%20Indonesia%2C%20Ghana%2C%20the%20UK%2C%20the%20US%2C%20and%20France.%20The%20programme%20includes%20some%20470%2C000%20trees%20planted%20in%20Scotland%20and%20England%20alongside%20Forestry%20England%20and%20Borders%20Forest%20Trust%20Scotland%2C%20it%20said.%0A%0ABut%20today's%20announcement%20marks%20a%20four-fold%20increase%20on%20its%20original%20goal%2C%20with%20the%20company%20now%20aiming%20to%20plant%20200%20million%20trees%20across%20six%20continents%20by%202030.%0A%0AAstraZeneca%20said%20it%20would%20work%20with%20planting%20experts%2C%20local%20communities%2C%20and%20governments%20to%20deliver%20natural%20forest%20restoration%20and%20agroforestry%20at%20scale.%0A%0AIt%20said%20the%20reforestation%20drive%20would%20help%20create%20new%20skills%20and%20jobs%20in%20local%20communities%2C%20protect%20threatened%20and%20endangered%20species%2C%20and%20improve%20public%20health%2C%20with%20all%20projects%20set%20to%20be%20audited%20and%20assessed%20by%20independent%2C%20third-party%20expects%20such%20as%20the%20European%20Forest%20Institute%20(EPI).%0A%0AThe%20commitment%20also%20supports%20AztraZeneca's%20targets%20to%20halve%20emissions%20across%20its%20entire%20global%20value%20chain%20by%202030%20against%202019%20levels%2C%20on%20the%20way%20to%20achieving%20net%20zero%20by%202045%20at%20the%20latest%2C%20as%20certified%20by%20the%20Science-Based%20Targets%20initiative%20(SBTi).%0A%0AUnder%20its%20SBTi%20goals%2C%20the%20firm%20is%20aiming%20to%20reduce%20its%20absolute%20Scopes%201%2C%202%2C%20and%203%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20by%2090%20per%20cent%20by%202045.%20The%20global%20reforestation%20programme%20would%20then%20help%20to%20offset%20the%20roughly%2010%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20company's%20remaining%20emissions%20by%20that%20date.%0A%0A%22We%20are%20taking%20a%20science-based%20approach%2C%20and%20AZ%20Forest%20will%20remove%20around%2030%20million%20tonnes%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20over%20about%2030%20years%2C%22%20said%20Pascal%20Soriot%2C%20AstraZeneca's%20CEO.%0A%0A%22The%20twin%20crises%20of%20climate%20change%20and%20biodiversity%20loss%20are%20damaging%20the%20planet%20and%20harming%20human%20health.%20Through%20AZ%20Forest%2C%20we%20are%20working%20with%20local%20communities%20and%20ecological%20experts%20to%20deliver%20reforestation%20at%20scale%2C%20as%20well%20as%20support%20biodiversity%20and%20sustain%20livelihoods.%22%0A%0AAlongside%20the%20enhanced%20%24400m%20commitment%2C%20AstraZeneca%20has%20also%20today%20published%20a%20%22first%20of%20its%20kind%22%20science-based%20framework%20for%20delivering%20%22sustainable%2C%20resilient%20and%20locally-appropriate%22%20landscape%20regeneration%2C%20aimed%20at%20supporting%20circular%20bioeconomy%20value%20chains%20and%20biodiversity.%0A%0ADubbed%20the%20CBA%20Principles%20for%20Regenerative%20Landscapes%2C%20the%20document%20has%20been%20developed%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20EFI%20as%20well%20as%20the%20Circular%20Bioeconomy%20Alliance%20(CBA).%0A%0AChair%20of%20the%20CBA%2C%20Marc%20Palah%C3%AD%2C%20said%20forests%20were%20key%20to%20fighting%20climate%20change%2C%20enhancing%20biodiversity%2C%20and%20%22powering%20a%20circular%20bioeconomy%20that%20prospers%20in%20harmony%20with%20nature%22.%0A%0A%22Forests%20and%20trees%20are%20the%20backbone%20for%20life%20on%20our%20planet%20and%20the%20basis%20for%20human%20health%20and%20wellbeing%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22Through%20the%20design%20and%20delivery%20of%20public-private%20partnerships%20like%20AZ%20Forest%2C%20which%20are%20underpinned%20by%20a%20science-based%20and%20principles-led%20approach%2C%20we%20can%20mitigate%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%20and%20create%20economic%20and%20social%20value%20for%20local%20communities.%22%0A%0AThe%20AZ%20Forest%20programme%20is%20also%20designed%20to%20support%20the%20World%20Economic%20Forum's%20public-private%20initiative%2C%20through%20which%20partners%20are%20aiming%20to%20collectively%20restore%20and%20grow%20one%20trillion%20trees%20by%202030%20worldwide.

AstraZeneca pledges $400m to fight deforestation

A%20temperate%20rainforest%2C%20a%20magical%2C%20wildlife-rich%20place%20of%20mosses%2C%20lichens%20and%20ferns%2C%20is%20being%20planted%20on%20the%20slopes%20above%20a%20West%20Country%20river%2C%20tumbling%20almost%20to%20the%20doors%20of%20one%20of%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20most%20green-minded%20towns.%0A%0ATree%20species%20including%20sessile%20oak%2C%20birch%2C%20rowan%2C%20holly%2C%20alder%2C%20willow%20and%20hazel%20are%20to%20be%20introduced%20to%20the%2030-hectare%20(74-acre)%20site%20above%20the%20Dart%20valley%20and%20close%20to%20the%20Devon%20town%20of%20Totnes%20in%20the%20south%20of%20England.%0A%0AIn%20time%2C%20the%20habitat%2C%20also%20known%20as%20Atlantic%20or%20Celtic%20rainforest%2C%20should%20become%20home%20to%20mammals%20such%20as%20stoats%20and%20pine%20martens%2C%20and%20threatened%20birds%20including%20wood%20warblers%2C%20redstarts%2C%20and%20pied%20flycatchers.%0A%0AWet%20conditions%20should%20support%20an%20abundance%20of%20mosses%2C%20liverworts%2C%20lichens%2C%20and%20ferns%20%E2%80%93%20many%20of%20which%20grow%20on%20the%20trees%20or%20cover%20boulders%20and%20ravines.%20The%20dampness%20will%20be%20ideal%20for%20fungi%2C%20including%20globally%20rare%20species%20such%20as%20hazel%20gloves%20fungus.%0A%0ADevon%20Wildlife%20Trust%20is%20creating%20the%20rainforest%20at%20a%20site%20called%20Bowden%20Pillars%20farm%2C%20a%20stroll%20from%20the%20centre%20of%20Totnes%20with%20lovely%20views%20of%20Dartmoor.%20The%20forest%20will%20take%20decades%20%E2%80%93%20perhaps%20a%20century%20%E2%80%93%20to%20grow%20to%20maturity%20but%20should%20be%20worth%20the%20wait.%0A%0AHarry%20Barton%2C%20the%20chief%20executive%20of%20Devon%20Wildlife%20Trust%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20very%20excited%20that%20we%20can%20now%20start%20to%20recreate%20rainforest%20in%20this%20beautiful%20part%20of%20south%20Devon.%20It%20will%20provide%20vital%20habitat%20for%20wildlife%20in%20a%20time%20of%20nature%20crisis%2C%20store%20vast%20amounts%20of%20carbon%2C%20and%20help%20restore%20the%20health%20of%20the%20soils%20and%20the%20quality%20of%20the%20water%20that%20drains%20off%20them.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBowden%20Pillars%20farm%20will%20be%20a%20fantastic%20asset%20for%20the%20people%20of%20Totnes%2C%20who%20will%20be%20able%20to%20walk%20out%20of%20the%20town%20and%20straight%20into%20this%20stunning%20landscape.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ARainforests%20of%20the%20British%20Isles%20grow%20in%20areas%20that%20have%20high%20rainfall%20and%20humidity%2C%20and%20a%20low%20annual%20variation%20in%20temperature.%0A%0AThey%20have%20been%20largely%20destroyed%20and%20now%20cover%20less%20than%201%25%20of%20Britain.%20The%20restoration%20of%20this%20precious%20habitat%20in%20Devon%20is%20part%20of%20a%20wider%20programme%20of%20nature-based%20projects%20funded%20by%20the%20insurance%20company%20Aviva%20to%20remove%20carbon%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20to%20help%20nature%20recover.%0A%0AThe%2030%20hectares%20of%20rainforest%20will%20sit%20within%20a%20larger%2050-hectare%20site%20where%20two%20other%20interesting%20projects%20are%20taking%20place.%20The%20Apricot%20Centre%2C%20which%20champions%20sustainable%2C%20diverse%20farming%2C%20will%20grow%20wheat%20for%20local%20bread%20production%20among%20fruit%20trees%20and%20introduce%20a%20herd%20of%20cows%20for%20grass-fed%20beef%20and%20a%20flock%20of%20hens.%20Within%20a%20few%20years%20there%20should%20also%20be%20new%20human%20inhabitants%20%E2%80%93%2040%20green%20homes%20are%20to%20be%20built%20as%20part%20of%20a%20%E2%80%9Cregenerative%20settlement%E2%80%9D%20on%20the%20old%20farmhouse%20site.%0A%0AGuy%20Shrubsole%2C%20an%20environmental%20campaigner%20and%20author%20of%20The%20Lost%20Rainforests%20of%20Britain%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20fantastic%20news%2C%20and%20not%20just%20because%20I%E2%80%99m%20a%20Totnes%20resident.%20Everyone%20benefits%20from%20the%20restoration%20of%20temperate%20rainforest%3A%20it%20soaks%20up%20carbon%20from%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20reduces%20flood%20risk%2C%20provides%20shade%20for%20people%20and%20animals%2C%20and%20supports%20a%20gorgeous%20panoply%20of%20epiphytic%20mosses%2C%20lichens%20and%20ferns.%20Visiting%20a%20temperate%20rainforest%20is%20a%20magical%2C%20enchanting%20experience%20that%20imprints%20itself%20on%20the%20mind.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDart%2C%20as%20the%20poet%20Alice%20Oswald%20reminds%20us%20in%20her%20poem%20of%20that%20name%2C%20derives%20from%20the%20Celtic%20for%20%E2%80%98oak%E2%80%99%2C%20so%20it%E2%80%99s%20very%20apposite%20that%20one%20of%20the%20first%20rainforest%20restoration%20projects%20should%20be%20to%20help%20restore%20Atlantic%20oakwood%20to%20the%20valley%20of%20the%20Dart.%E2%80%9D

Wildlife-rich rainforest to be planted in Devon

The%20Government%20has%20allocated%20more%20than%20%C2%A344m%20to%20plant%20around%202%2C300%20hectares%20of%20new%20woodland%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20in%20a%20bid%20to%20improve%20biodiversity%20and%20respond%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%0A%0AFunding%20fiasco%0A%0ANature%20and%20conservation%20charities%20have%20already%20expressed%20concern%20that%20the%20Government%E2%80%99s%20financing%20support%20for%20charities%20to%20date%20will%20stifle%20efforts%20to%20tackle%20climate%20change%20and%20protect%20nature%20over%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0AThe%20National%20Council%20for%20Voluntary%20Organisations%20estimates%20that%20around%20%C2%A34bn%20of%20support%20is%20needed%20by%20UK%20charities.%0A%0APrior%20to%20this%2C%20it%20was%20revealed%20that%20Government%20funding%20for%20bodies%20such%20as%20Natural%20England%2C%20the%20Environment%20Agency%20and%20National%20Parks%20had%20fallen%20steeply%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20leaving%20the%20UK%20at%20risk%20of%20failing%20to%20meet%20key%20green%20policy%20objectives.%0A%0AThe%20investigation%2C%20called%20Unchecked%2C%20found%20that%20the%20Environment%20Agency%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20protection%20budget%20has%20fallen%20by%2062%25%20in%20real%20terms%20since%20financial%20year%202010-2011%2C%20taking%20into%20account%20Government%20cuts%2C%20inflation%20and%20economic%20trends.%20Significant%20funding%20decreases%20were%20also%20recorded%20within%20the%20same%20timeframe%20at%20bodies%20including%20the%20Scottish%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency%20(32%25)%2C%20National%20Parks%20(25%25)%20and%20Maritime%20Management%20Organisation%20(57%25).%0A%0AThese%20financial%20strains%20are%20leaving%20environmental%20enforcement%20bodies%20and%20charities%20unable%20to%20complete%20the%20inspections%20and%20prosecutions%20necessary%20for%20the%20UK%20to%20meet%20the%20ambitions%20of%20policies%20such%20as%20the%2025%20Year%20Environment%20Plan.%0A%0AIn%20related%20news%2C%20a%20rewilding%20project%20in%20Scotland%20had%20reached%20its%20funding%20goal.%0A%0AThe%20Langholm%20Initiative%20confirmed%20last%20week%20that%20it%20had%20met%20a%20funding%20goal%20of%20%C2%A32.2m%2C%20which%20will%20enable%20the%20purchase%20of%202%2C415%20hectares%20of%20moorland%20in%20southern%20Scotland.%0A%0AAs%20reported%20by%20the%20Guardian%2C%20this%20will%20enable%20the%20local%20community%20to%20reach%20an%20original%20goal%20of%20creating%20a%204%2C000-hectare%20nature%20reserve%20known%20as%20Tarras%20Valley.

£44m expansion plan for woodlands in England

More%20than%20a%20million%20trees%20will%20be%20planted%20as%20part%20of%20a%20new%20road%20tunnel%20scheme%20under%20the%20River%20Thames%2C%20Government%20roads%20agency%20National%20Highways%20has%20said.%0A%0AA%20community%20woodland%20and%20two%20public%20parks%20are%20among%20the%20400%20hectares%20(1%2C000%20acres)%20of%20%E2%80%9Clandscape-scale%E2%80%9D%20forest%20creation%20planned%20as%20part%20of%20the%20proposed%20Lower%20Thames%20Crossing.%0A%0APlans%20include%20planting%20more%20than%20one%20million%20extra%20trees%20in%20Kent%20and%20in%20Thurrock%2C%20Havering%20and%20Brentwood%20in%20Essex%20to%20help%20the%20project%20address%20its%20impact%20on%20the%20environment.%0A%0ANational%20Highways%20said%20the%20Lower%20Thames%20Crossing%20aims%20to%20be%20the%20greenest%20road%20ever%20built%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20but%20campaigners%20at%20the%20Woodland%20Trust%20have%20criticised%20its%20impact%20on%20%E2%80%9Cirreplaceable%E2%80%9D%20ancient%20woodland%2C%20wildlife%20and%20increased%20carbon%20emissions.%0A%0AThe%20project%20aims%20to%20almost%20double%20road%20capacity%20across%20the%20Thames%20east%20of%20London%20and%20ease%20congestion%20on%20the%20Dartford%20Crossing%2C%20and%20National%20Highways%20said%20the%20new%20route%20would%20connect%20residents%20to%20jobs%2C%20boost%20the%20economy%20and%20create%20new%20public%20parks%20and%20woodland%20habitat.%0A%0AThe%20%E2%80%9Clandscape%20scale%E2%80%9D%20proposals%20would%20include%20public%20parks%20in%20Thurrock%20and%20Gravesham%2C%20a%20new%20community%20woodland%20in%20Brentwood%2C%20and%20other%20areas%20of%20native%20broadleaf%20trees%20and%20habitat%20creation%2C%20including%20grassland%2C%20hedgerows%20and%20ponds%2C%20from%20Maidstone%20in%20Kent%20to%20Upminster%20in%20the%20London%20Borough%20Havering.%0A%0AThe%20area%20of%20ancient%20woodland%20lost%20by%20construction%20of%20the%20new%20road%20has%20been%20reduced%20to%20less%20than%2012%20hectares%2C%20National%20Highways%20said.%0A%0AWhile%20the%20roads%20agency%20acknowledges%20that%20the%20ancient%20woodland%20is%20irreplaceable%2C%20it%20says%20its%20strategy%20will%20provide%20six%20times%20as%20much%20woodland%20as%20that%20lost.%0A%0AMatt%20Palmer%2C%20executive%20director%20for%20the%20Lower%20Thames%20Crossing%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Lower%20Thames%20Crossing%20will%20tackle%20the%20daily%20frustration%20caused%20by%20the%20congestion%20at%20Dartford%2C%20improve%20journeys%20and%20bring%20exciting%20opportunities%20for%20new%20jobs%20and%20businesses%20across%20the%20region%2C%20but%20we%20are%20determined%20that%20this%20will%20not%20come%20at%20the%20expense%20of%20the%20environment.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20planned%20its%20route%20and%20how%20we%20build%20it%20to%20not%20only%20reduce%20its%20impact%20but%20leave%20a%20legacy%20of%20bigger%2C%20better-connected%20and%20well-managed%20habitats%20that%20would%20give%20local%20wildlife%20and%20plant%20life%20the%20chance%20to%20thrive%20long%20into%20the%20future.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABut%20Jack%20Taylor%2C%20lead%20campaigner%2C%20Woodland%20Trust%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CNo%20number%20of%20new%20trees%20compensates%20for%20the%20loss%20of%20irreplaceable%20ancient%20woodland%3B%20centuries%20old%20and%20nature%E2%80%99s%20own%20carbon%20stores.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHe%20also%20criticised%20National%20Highways%20(NH)%20for%20saying%20it%20could%20transfer%20soil%20from%20cleared%20ancient%20woodland%20as%20part%20of%20efforts%20to%20create%20new%20habitat%20as%20%E2%80%9Ctouting%20a%20flawed%20concept%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AAnd%20he%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWhile%20we%20know%20it%20will%20be%20one%20of%20the%20highest%20emitting%20roads%20currently%20planned%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20NH%20still%20haven%E2%80%99t%20come%20clean%20on%20the%20full%20impacts%20of%20the%20project%20on%20nature.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThey%20are%20quick%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20they%E2%80%99ll%20plant%20and%20create%2C%20but%20very%20resistant%20to%20disclose%20what%20will%20be%20destroyed%20in%20the%20first%20place.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20fighting%20both%20a%20nature%20and%20climate%20crisis%2C%20and%20destruction%20like%20this%20for%20a%20road%20scheme%20beggars%20belief%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

Thames road tunnel plan will plant million trees

These%20seed-firing%20drones%20are%20planting%2040%2C000%20trees%20every%20day%20to%20fight%20deforestation.%0ALet%E2%80%99s%20face%20it.%20Talk%20about%20biodiversity%20loss%20at%20a%20party%20and%20you%E2%80%99re%20unlikely%20to%20make%20friends.%0A%0ATalk%20about%20an%20army%20of%20seed-firing%20drones%2C%20however%2C%20and%20suddenly%20you%E2%80%99re%20the%20coolest%20person%20there.%0A%0AWell%20believe%20it%20or%20not%2C%20an%20Australian%20start-up%20is%20doing%20exactly%20that.%20Using%20a%20fleet%20of%20highly%20advanced%20'octocopters'%2C%20AirSeed%20Technology%20is%20fighting%20deforestation%20by%20combining%20artificial%20intelligence%20with%20specially%20designed%20seed%20pods%20which%20can%20be%20fired%20into%20the%20ground%20from%20high%20in%20the%20sky.%0A%0A%22Each%20of%20our%20drones%20can%20plant%20over%2040%2C000%20seed%20pods%20per%20day%20and%20they%20fly%20autonomously%2C%22%20says%20Andrew%20Walker%2C%20CEO%20and%20co-founder%20of%20AirSeed%20Technologies.%0A%0A%22In%20comparison%20to%20traditional%20methodologies%2C%20that's%2025%20times%20faster%2C%20but%20also%2080%20per%20cent%20cheaper.%22%0A%0APlanting%20100%20million%20trees%20by%202024%0A%0ABefore%20takeoff%2C%20each%20drone%20hopper%20is%20loaded%20with%20specially%20selected%20seed%20pods%20compatible%20with%20the%20habitat%20below.%0A%0AThese%20pods%20are%20manufactured%20using%20waste%20biomass%2C%20providing%20a%20carbon%20rich%20coating%20that%20protects%20the%20seeds%20from%20birds%2C%20insects%20and%20rodents.%0A%0A%22The%20niche%20really%20lies%20in%20our%20biotech%2C%20which%20is%20the%20support%20system%20for%20the%20seed%20once%20it's%20on%20the%20ground%2C%22%20says%20Walker.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20protects%20the%20seed%20from%20different%20types%20of%20wildlife%2C%20but%20also%20supports%20the%20seed%20once%20it%20germinates%20and%20really%20helps%20deliver%20all%20of%20those%20nutrients%20and%20mineral%20sources%20that%20it%20needs%2C%20along%20with%20some%20probiotics%20to%20really%20boost%20early-stage%20growth.%22%0A%0AOnce%20airborne%2C%20the%20drones%20navigate%20fixed%20flight%20paths%2C%20planting%20to%20predefined%20patterns%20and%20recording%20each%20seeds'%20coordinates.%0A%0AThis%20allows%20AirSeed%20to%20assess%20the%20health%20of%20their%20trees%20as%20they%20grow.%0A%0A%22We're%20being%20very%20mindful%20of%20the%20fact%20that%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20soil%20health%2C%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20microbial%20communities%20within%20the%20soil%2C%20and%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20primary%20habitat%20providers%20for%20animals%2C%E2%80%9D%20continues%20Walker%2C%20who%20believes%20the%20sky's%20the%20limit%20for%20the%20drone-based%20technology.%0A%0AThe%20company%20has%20already%20planted%20more%20than%2050%2C000%20trees%2C%20and%20aims%20to%20plant%20a%20total%20of%20100%20million%20by%20the%20year%202024.%0A%0AHow%20serious%20is%20deforestation%20around%20the%20world%3F%0A%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Programme%20says%20the%20earth%20loses%2070%2C000%20square%20kilometres%20of%20forest%20every%20year%20-%20an%20area%20roughly%20the%20size%20of%20Portugal.%0A%0AIt's%20calling%20for%20this%20figure%20to%20be%20halved%20by%202025%20and%20for%20an%20end%20to%20net%20deforestation%20globally%20by%202030.%0A%0ABut%20with%20deforestation%20rates%20unlikely%20to%20subside%20anytime%20soon%2C%20innovative%20measures%20such%20as%20these%20are%20needed%20now%20more%20than%20ever%20to%20mitigate%20the%20drastic%20implications%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AAirSeed%20is%20not%20alone%20in%20developing%20drone-based%20planting%20systems%20to%20combat%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0ATwo%20other%20start-ups%20-%20Dendra%20and%20Biocarbon%20Engineering%20-%20are%20also%20aiming%20to%20help%20fight%20deforestation%20with%20seed-dropping%20technology.

Planting 100 million trees by 2024

Let%E2%80%99s%20face%20it.%20Talk%20about%20biodiversity%20loss%20at%20a%20party%20and%20you%E2%80%99re%20unlikely%20to%20make%20friends.%0A%0ATalk%20about%20an%20army%20of%20seed-firing%20drones%2C%20however%2C%20and%20suddenly%20you%E2%80%99re%20the%20coolest%20person%20there.%0A%0AWell%20believe%20it%20or%20not%2C%20an%20Australian%20start-up%20is%20doing%20exactly%20that.%0A%0AUsing%20a%20fleet%20of%20highly%20advanced%20octocopters%2C%20AirSeed%20Technology%20is%20fighting%20deforestation%20by%20combining%20artificial%20intelligence%20with%20specially%20designed%20seed%20pods%20which%20can%20be%20fired%20into%20the%20ground%20from%20high%20in%20the%20sky.%0A%0A%22Each%20of%20our%20drones%20can%20plant%20over%2040%2C000%20seed%20pods%20per%20day%20and%20they%20fly%20autonomously%2C%22%20says%20Andrew%20Walker%2C%20CEO%20and%20co-founder%20of%20AirSeed%20Technologies.%0A%0A%22In%20comparison%20to%20traditional%20methodologies%2C%20that's%2025%20times%20faster%2C%20but%20also%2080%20per%20cent%20cheaper.%22%0A%0A100%20million%20trees%20by%202024%0ABefore%20takeoff%2C%20each%20drone%20hopper%20is%20loaded%20with%20specially%20selected%20seed%20pods%20compatible%20with%20the%20habitat%20below.%0A%0AThese%20pods%20are%20manufactured%20using%20waste%20biomass%2C%20providing%20a%20carbon%20rich%20coating%20that%20protects%20the%20seeds%20from%20birds%2C%20insects%20and%20rodents.%0A%0A%22The%20niche%20really%20lies%20in%20our%20biotech%2C%20which%20is%20the%20support%20system%20for%20the%20seed%20once%20it's%20on%20the%20ground%2C%22%20says%20Walker.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20protects%20the%20seed%20from%20different%20types%20of%20wildlife%2C%20but%20also%20supports%20the%20seed%20once%20it%20germinates%20and%20really%20helps%20deliver%20all%20of%20those%20nutrients%20and%20mineral%20sources%20that%20it%20needs%2C%20along%20with%20some%20probiotics%20to%20really%20boost%20early-stage%20growth.%22%0A%0AOnce%20airborne%2C%20the%20drones%20navigate%20fixed%20flight%20paths%2C%20planting%20to%20predefined%20patterns%20and%20recording%20each%20seeds'%20coordinates.%0A%0AThis%20allows%20AirSeed%20to%20assess%20the%20health%20of%20their%20trees%20as%20they%20grow.%0A%0A%22We're%20being%20very%20mindful%20of%20the%20fact%20that%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20soil%20health%2C%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20microbial%20communities%20within%20the%20soil%2C%20and%20we%20need%20to%20restore%20primary%20habitat%20providers%20for%20animals%2C%E2%80%9D%20continues%20Walker%2C%20who%20believes%20the%20sky's%20the%20limit%20for%20the%20drone-based%20technology.%0A%0AThe%20company%20has%20already%20planted%20more%20than%2050%2C000%20trees%2C%20and%20aims%20to%20plant%20a%20total%20of%20100%20million%20by%20the%20year%202024.%0A%0AHow%20serious%20is%20deforestation%20around%20the%20world%3F%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Programme%20says%20the%20earth%20loses%2070%2C000%20square%20kilometres%20of%20forest%20every%20year%20-%20an%20area%20roughly%20the%20size%20of%20Portugal.%0A%0AIt's%20calling%20for%20this%20figure%20to%20be%20halved%20by%202025%20and%20for%20an%20end%20to%20net%20deforestation%20globally%20by%202030.%0A%0ABut%20with%20deforestation%20rates%20unlikely%20to%20subside%20anytime%20soon%2C%20innovative%20measures%20such%20as%20these%20are%20needed%20now%20more%20than%20ever%20to%20mitigate%20the%20drastic%20implications%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0AAirSeed%20is%20not%20alone%20in%20developing%20drone-based%20planting%20systems%20to%20combat%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0ATwo%20other%20start-ups%20-%20Dendra%20and%20Biocarbon%20Engineering%20-%20are%20also%20aiming%20to%20help%20fight%20deforestation%20with%20seed-dropping%20technology.