Community i-Tree project wins CPRE award

The Petersfield Society i-Tree Eco Survey Project was announced the winner of the prestigious Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire 2018 Countryside Award in the Community & Voluntary category at an uplifting ceremony in Winchester on 18 September. Andy Moffat, the Project Manager, and Robin Hart, the Petersfield Tree Warden, were presented with the winner’s plaque by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq.

Jessica Hughes, one of the judges, introduced the award, saying “The Petersfield Society Tree Survey, driven solely by volunteers, has touched the whole community and provided a robust and comprehensive view of the environmental, social and economic value the trees of Petersfield contribute to their community. This citizen science initiative has attracted the interest of Westminster and will play an important role in influencing green infrastructure planning within the local council and South Downs National Park. The initiative also provides a valuable blueprint for other communities looking to protect and understand the value of their green assets’.

The i-Tree Eco survey is currently being used as a platform from which to develop a Tree Strategy and Action Plan for the town. Andy Moffat is again Project Manager for this initiative. It is hoped that the Tree Strategy will be published in 2019.