Eden Community Tree Nursery
Penny Conservation Charity has awarded a £9,000 grant to support the continued development of the Eden Community Tree Nursery in Penrith, led by Eden Rivers Trust.
The nursery, established in 2023, plays an important role in improving biodiversity, strengthening local habitats and creating wider social value for the Penrith community. The funding will support the delivery of volunteer sessions, training opportunities and access to nature-based activities, helping people of all backgrounds to engage with conservation and environmental action.
The nursery is part of the wider Access to Eden: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges partnership project, led by Eden Rivers Trust and supported by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It provides an inclusive and accessible space for people, including those experiencing mental health challenges, neurodivergence and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to develop skills, build confidence and connect with others. It also gives valuable opportunities to those that experience barriers to accessing the river directly to contribute to conservation in the area where they live.
Since launching, the project has delivered more than 140 sessions and over 2,300 volunteer hours, with participants contributing to activities such as seed collection, tree growing, habitat improvement and sustainable land management.
The trees grown at the nursery are sourced from locally collected seeds, helping to strengthen biodiversity and climate resilience across the Eden Valley. These trees are used in wider conservation and community planting projects, supporting habitat restoration and long-term environmental sustainability.
The funding from Penny Conservation Charity will help ensure the continued growth of the nursery, enabling more people to take part, while also supporting the development of a sustainable community resource that benefits both people and the environment.
Rhian, Project Manager at Eden Rivers Trust said: “We are very grateful for the Penny Conservation Charity’s support for our Eden Community Tree Nursery. This funding will help the nursery to continue to develop as an accessible, inclusive space where people can come together, build skills and play a direct role in improving the environment. We have already seen a strong and connected community come together through the nursery, so it’s fantastic that we can continue to run this. By supporting the growing of local native trees, this project is also contributing to healthier rivers, increased biodiversity and greater resilience to climate change, which is vital to these communities who have been impacted so hard by flooding, and now provide shade and cooling from increasing summer temperatures.”
Jamie Allison, Chair of the Penny Conservation Charity and Head of Real Estate at Napthens law firm said: “Through this funding, we are supporting a project that brings together environmental restoration and meaningful community engagement.
The Eden Community Tree Nursery provides people with a practical way to connect with nature, develop new skills and contribute to improving their local environment. It’s a strong example of how local initiatives can deliver lasting social and environmental impact, and we are pleased to support its continued development.”
The project is now continuing its programme of regular sessions and activities, with opportunities for local residents to get involved and support environmental conservation in the Eden Valley.
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