Eden community tree nursery: Good things come in trees
Part of project: Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges
Thanks to National Lottery Players and Eden District Council, in October 2022 Eden Rivers Trust took control of a plot of land on an allotment in Penrith. The dream? To create a community tree nursery that would open a doorway to conservation; a place accessible to all, where local people, volunteers and community groups could learn about trees and the river and work together; growing and nurturing locally-sourced seeds.
The resulting native saplings will be planted on river conservation sites throughout the Eden catchment; creating food and homes for wildlife; helping manage the flow of water over land and storing carbon.
Follow our progress with Jenni (Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator) and the volunteers and community groups who are embarking on this adventure with us.
Read the latest Good things come in trees blog
Or…why not experience the wonderful nursery first hand by coming along to one of our twice weekly work parties to help us grow our saplings.
There’s always lots to do. If you’re up for a spot of painting, planting, building, cleaning, chopping, tidying or digging then we’d love to see you and you’ll be made to feel very welcome!
More information about volunteering and lending a hand at the nursery>
Autumn / Winter 2024 Update
The mix of regular, bespoke and community sessions is working well. Students and staff from Beaumont College are enjoying access to the tree nursery as an accessible venue for their own outdoor learning. Furthering this, Eden Rivers Trust (ERT) is currently helping to design a space for growing and caring for young trees at the College’s own allotment in Carlisle.
Informal plant ID sessions have helped to maintain the energy, interest and learning alongside practical work taking place at the nursery. Collaborative planning has reinforced the role of volunteers in driving and directing developments and activities in what has been a crucial year in establishing the tree nursery.
ERT has been working closely with PACT (Penrith Action for Sustainability) and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, joining forces to promote the growing and use of native trees at community events and at the tree nursery. Partnerships like these help us reach new audiences, establish a focus for more sustainable living in Penrith and allow us all to share resources to achieve the best outcomes.
In pictures…
Eden Community Tree Nursery boundary and location
We held an extra days activities as we gave a warm welcome to Beaumont College students who built a very grand high rise bug hotel
Joint event held with PACT at the Penrith Community Tree Nursery
Mar 2024: Volunteers potting up at the Penrith Community Tree Nursery
Aug 2024: Native trees will be nurtured at the nursery to be planted at sites throughout the Eden Valley catchment area.
Aug 2024: Composting Workshop held at the tree nursery sharing best practice for creating amazing compost!
Apr 2024: Nursery sign created by one of our multi-talented volunteers
Feb 2023: New drainage going in
April 2023: Our volunteers making a song and dance about laying Easy-Pave
April 2023: 'river of stones' at the front of the nursery.
May 2023: Water butts and planting at the tree nursery.
May 2023: trees growing at the nursery
May 2023: Jenni tending to seedlings,
Sept 2023: Volunteers preparing ground for trees.
May 23: Local allotment holders and growers bearing gifts for our open day!
May 23: Saplings growing well!
Oct 2023: Students from Ullswater Community College enjoying some planting.
Oct 2023: Testing out the finished Easy-Pave accessible path.
Oct 2023: A view through the nursery.
Oct 2023: Shed extension built by the talented volunteer Andy Tomlinson, helped by the others!
Creating our wonderful space in 2022
Oct 2022: Welcome to the tree nursery!
Oct 2022: Volunteers hard at work clearing the site
Oct 2022: Our 'river' ready for planting
Nov 2022: Rear of the tree nursery. Photo: Ben Challis
Nov 2022: The back fence was a bit of an eyesore. So the volunteers took charge ...
Nov 2022: ... and now, the brand-new, hand-made pallet fence gets a coat of wood stain.
Nov 2022: Volunteers clearing the site
Nov 2022: Seed tray made by ERT volunteer, Andy
Nov 2022: Our talented volunteers made a potting table
Nov 2022: Planting already! Photo: Ben Challis
Nov 2022: The neighbours are keeping a close eye on developments
Dec 22: The tree nursery volunteer team!
Dec 22: Volunteers from PPM helping to paint accessible potting benches.
Dec 22: Staff from local company, PPM Ltd come along to lend a hand.
Dec 22: Building accessible potting benches from wooden pallets
Dec 22: ERT's Anna Holliday showing off her willow wreath frame.
Dec 22: Christmas willow wreath workshop.
Dec 22: the new willow fence starts to take shape.
This project is supported by the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks also to the Garfield Weston Foundation and Penrith Town Council for their support during 2024.
