Isle of Anglesey County Council is spearheading an innovative project that will see thousands of trees grown on a new tree nursery on the island.

The project, led by the county council’s AONB team, will see approximately 10,000 native broadleaf trees grown at Gerddi Haulfre in Llangoed every year.

As part of the day to day running of the nursery, the county council will work proactively with a number of local community groups, education centres and clients at Blaen y Coed Resource Centre.

Anglesey’s Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, said, “This is a fantastic project and one that will directly support our aim to achieve net zero status by 2030 and the climate change pledges outlined in the Council Plan (2023 to 2028).”

She added, “Over time, these trees will make a positive contribution to the environment by removing carbon from the atmosphere.”

The project will support the county council's commitment to increase woodland planting, an objective that is set out in the new AONB Management Plan 2023 to 2028.

It will also provide a steady supply of trees for the new Sustainable Farming Scheme introduced by the Welsh Government. A scheme that outlines a requirement to plant a percentage of trees on farmland.

Anglesey’s Leisure, Tourism and Maritime Portfolio Holder, Councillor Neville Evans explained, “I believe that the tree nursery will prove to be a great asset to many community groups and education centres."

He added, “It will provide many with the opportunity to come together to work on a fantastic project which will help people to connect with nature facilitate mental and physical well-being.”

Working alongside local, regional, and national partners, the council continues with its commitment to reduce carbon emissions from its land and assets, in accordance with pledges made in the Council Plan 2023 to 2028.

The project also supports the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) act by helping to improve the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of Anglesey residents.

AONB Community Warden, Joseff Davies added, “The project will provide a significant number of trees for both council and partner organisation projects over the coming years. Positive community involvement is essential to this project’s success.”

“Therefore, we are eager to get as many groups as possible involved in the project – please contact the AONB team for more information: aonb@anglesey.gov.wales.”

Funding for the tree nursery was secured from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscape Sustainable Places (SLSP) programme.

Ends 20 December 2023