Community

About the Client

Westmorland and Furness Council (WFC) is the unitary authority for the Barrow-in-Furness, Eden, and South Lakeland localities, making it the third largest unitary authority in England and Wales by land area and home to approximately 225,000 residents. As an ‘ecologically aware’ council, WFC has ambitious climate and nature goals, set out in its Climate Action Plan and Nature Strategy, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2037 and acting as the Responsible Authority for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Integrating climate and nature action is central to the Council’s approach. The One Tree per Resident project is a flagship initiative, through which the Council aims to ensure the planting of a quarter of a million trees across Westmorland and Furness, supporting communities to plant one tree, or one metre of hedgerow equivalent, for every resident.

Project Overview

During the tree planting season of 2025/26, the Council launched the Free Trees for Residents Scheme – a key strand of the One Tree per Resident project. More than 58,000 free saplings were provided by Alba Trees and were distributed to the local community across Westmorland and Furness.
Five community collection events were held across Kendal, Penrith, Appleby, Windermere, and Barrow over two weekends in January and February. The scheme proved hugely popular, attracting over 2,000 applications from schools, landowners, community groups, town and parish councils, and local residents.
The scheme was designed to be inclusive and accessible, whether a renter planting a single tree in a pot or a landowner creating wildlife corridors. The saplings are destined for inspiring projects across the area – from creating havens for birds and wildlife to forming cosy hedgehog corridors and restoring pockets of ancient woodland. Each project representing a meaningful contribution to nature recovery.

Testimonial

The saplings supplied for Alba Trees were instrumental to the success of the scheme. Feedback from the Council highlighted:

• Reliable and adaptable service – Alba Trees were able to double our order after the number applications exceeded expectations.
• High-quality, cell-grown saplings – strong, healthy plants with intact roots, well suited to the Cumbrian climate.
• Responsive communication – clear, supportive advice provided throughout, contributing to smooth delivery and logistics.