Fife Climate Forest is firmly laying down roots thanks to community tree planting made possible by UK Government funding.

In an inspiring example of local climate action, around 70 local school pupils are working alongside volunteers from Dunnikier Park Development Group to sensitively plant a mix of young and established trees in the park. These will increase canopy cover, enhance natural beauty and establish habitat for wildlife.

Thanks to the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, community tree planting has significantly branched out this winter, all contributing to Fife Climate Forest. Funding has allowed the creation of two seasonal tree planting roles at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. These two posts support the Community Tree Planting Officer, who is funded by Climate Action Fife Community Fund.

Fife Climate Forest is a partnership project led by Fife Council, Climate Action Fife and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. It’s a shared ambition to grow the number of trees, woods and forests in Fife.

Over 4,000 trees have been planted since November 2024, with the enthusiastic help of over 300 volunteers and community members. The tree team have been supporting communities in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath.

Rebecca Logsdon, Community Engagement Manager for Fife Climate Forest, and Fife’s Community Tree Planting Officer, says: “The additional funding has been invaluable this planting season. It’s meant we’ve had capacity to take Fife Climate Forest into communities with inspiring engagement activities. And we’ve been able to support community groups with their planting plans.

“The tree team has consulted locals and, as part of Fife Climate Forest, 300 standard and fruit trees have been planted that are able to be adopted. This means that communities and individuals will care for them and nurture them. Funds have also gone towards upgrading Fife Coast and Countryside Trust’s tree nursery so we can grow and look after more trees in the future. We’re really grateful to Fife Council for their support.”

Fife Council’s spokesperson for environment and climate change, Cllr. Jan Wincott, said: “Looking after trees is very important for our planet’s health. I’m proud to support Fife Climate Forest’s work to protect trees and plant new ones. Every tree we plant is good for local biodiversity and helps combat climate change.”

Rebecca adds: “Please get involved with a local community group, become a Fife Tree Warden, or join in one of our partner tree planting events.”

Fife Climate Forest is grateful for all its growing partner support. Find out how to get involved as a partner or supporter.

You can find details of tree planting events that you can attend on our event page or the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website.

A shared vision to grow and protect the Kingdom’s trees, woods and forests has firmly laid down its roots with the launch of Fife Climate Forest.

Unveiled at Fife Climate Festival’s Big Day Oot, Fife Climate Forest is a partnership working together to protect the trees Fife already has and to plant new trees. Fife Climate Forest is a partnership project led by Fife Council, Climate Action Fife and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. And the launch of the Fife Climate Forest is supported by Scottish Forestry funding. 

Rebecca Logsdon, Fife’s Community Tree Planting Officer, says: “There are many ways that groups and individuals can dig in to help biodiversity and combat climate change. Like planting a fruit tree in your garden, caring for local trees and becoming a voice in your community. Because every tree counts, and even small actions can make a difference.”

Fife Climate Forest will create a strategy and approach for ongoing tree protection, planting and care. This will support Fife’s Climate Action Plan and contribute to broader climate action goals.

Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Fife Climate Forest is an exciting step forward in tackling the Kingdom’s climate emergency. It’s laid down in our climate action plan ‘Climate Fife 2024’ and is so important in protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

“Partnership working is crucial, and I’m delighted to see so many organisations come together on this. At the root of Fife Climate Forest’s success will be the people engaged in volunteering to help nature, so I would urge people in Fife to find a way to get involved.”

Ea O Neill, Project Manager, Climate Action Fife said: “Fife trees and woods have an important role in helping us respond to the climate emergency. Increasing tree cover and connecting people to their local woods will benefit nature, our communities and our climate.

“Fife Climate Forest brings together the people who can make a difference. It has an exciting vision that will help make Fife a greener and fairer place.”

The winners of the ‘Postcards from the Future’ competition were also announced at the launch of Fife Climate Forest. The fantastic entries showed creative visions of a greener Fife.

The Big Day Oot also saw the launch of the Food4Fife Partnership’s strategy. The event was also an opportunity for many climate activities to come together, celebrate successes and demonstrate how people will work together to create a better future.

In the coming months, Fife Climate Forest community engagement activities will share the importance of trees and inspire action. Visit our events page to find details. Highlights will include immersive theatre, creative projects, tree planting and tree adoption.

Fife Climate Forest is grateful for all its growing partner support. Find out how to get involved as a partner or supporter.

Fife Climate Forest

How to get involved in Fife Climate Forest.

• Share your favourite woods and trees and where you would like to plant more trees and hedges at Green Maps.
• Volunteer to plant, look after and stand up for the trees in your patch through Fife Tree Wardens.
• Encourage your community to protect and plant trees.
• Help people source free or affordable fruit trees and learn how to take care of them through A Fruit Tree for Every Garden in Fife.
• Fundraise and donate to help protect and plants trees across Fife through the Fife Tree Fund.

Fife Climate Forest’s vision is Connect, Grow, Thrive.

Connect: Connect communities together with a shared vision about trees, woods, and forests. Help nature to recover by creating bigger, better, connected areas.

Grow: Grow the number of trees in Fife and help communities to care for them.

Thrive: Support thriving and resilient places for people and nature.

Partners include: CLEAR Buckhaven & Methil, Climate Action Fife, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Fife Communities Climate Action Network (FCCAN), Fife Council, Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot, NHS Fife, Rural Skills Scotland, Scottish Forestry, St Andrews Botanic Gardens, Transition University St Andrews, Trees for Cities, Tree Council, Sustainable Cupar and Woodland Trust Scotland.

Community Tree Planting Officer Rebecca Logsdon introduces herself and her new role within Climate Action Fife, working for Climate Action Fife partner Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

I’m delighted to be joining Fife Coast and Countryside Trust as Community Tree Planting Officer, a new post created as part of the Climate Action Fife project and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund.

I’ll be working with partners and communities to rapidly increase the area and diversity of woodland in Fife as a response to the climate and ecological emergencies. Over the next 5 years the partnership will be helping Fife communities to plant trees locally so that people benefit from improvements in the quality of their environment, enhanced wellbeing and increased opportunities for developing skills.

Over the next 5 years the partnership will be helping Fife communities to plant trees locally so that people benefit from improvements in the quality of their environment, enhanced wellbeing and increased opportunities for developing skills.

I’ve worked with a wide range of local, regional, and national environmental and conservation organisations over the last 25 years – including The Green Team working with community groups on practical conservation projects, Forestry Commission Scotland on engaging people with woodlands and just recently with the John Muir Trust encouraging people to take practical action for nature and climate through the John Muir Award.

What motivates me is making sure everyone has an opportunity to experience nature and make a difference to their local environment.

My role involves partnership working, reaching out to communities, training and capacity building. I’ll be developing a Tree Planting Strategy for Fife, responding to community groups’ interest in woodland and orchard planting, and providing support to make it happen on the ground.

I’m most looking forward to working with all the fantastic partners, projects and initiatives in Fife and linking with regional and national drivers around climate and biodiversity.

I enjoy taking action for climate and nature in my personal life including growing my own food and growing willow on a cooperative farm; taking part in tree planting as part of climate fightback and helping with Climate Café events.

You’re just as likely to find me enjoying the quiet tranquility of the woods (Tentsmuir and Falkland being favourites so far) or taking a dook in Fife’s wild waters. Please just get in touch if you are interested in planting trees in Fife, you can email me at rebecca.logsdon@fife.gov.uk.

Winners!

Winner: Musab Waheed, Glasgow

Runner Up: Oliver Northin, Kincardine

Congratulations to you both!

Why Musab won

Why Oliver won runner up