Today the challenge is to see how you can get your church , archdeaconry or Diocese to incorporate tree planting in their spiritual life and programme.
- Identify the stakeholders. Who would you need to approach? Priest/church wardens/ member of parish council who might be most open to the idea?
- Think through the concept with a group. For instance if you would like to suggest incorporating tree growing with confirmation – who would need to give permission? How would it work, where might the saplings be sourced from? (donations, fundraising etc?) Who would educate the young people, who would need to give permission.
- If there is space on the church grounds for planting trees, think through the issues – who will water – what size will the tree grow to in 15 years (will it push over walls?) Where are there overhead cables? Which are the best indigenous trees for the area?
Once you have thought through some of the issues then approach the key stakeholders such as priest and church wardens, parish council members..