Fife Tree Warden Scheme
Do you have a love of trees and a few hours to spare?
Fife Coast and Countryside Trust and Climate Action Fife are inviting anyone interested in trees to get involved in Fife Tree Warden scheme.
Tree Wardens are local tree champions who plant, look after and stand up for the trees in their patch. The scheme is open to anyone. No prior training or experience in tree management are needed – just a love of trees and a few hours to spare.
As a Tree Warden, you are not simply an extra pair of hands; you are an ambassador helping safeguard Fife’s trees, woodlands and greenspaces, helping to tackle the climate and nature crisis. Trees and woodland are located all over Fife and there are many amazing groups looking after their local trees and woodlands – but we need your help. You can choose to focus on a particular neighbourhood area or work with a local community group in your area. Volunteers with existing groups in Fife can sign up to the Fife Tree Warden scheme to benefit from support of a network, free training and skills sharing.
Whether you want to get your hands in the earth and plant trees, raise awareness about trees in your community, or simply be the eyes, ears and voice for the trees down your street, you have what it takes to be a Tree Warden.
Tree Wardens:
- Champion trees in their community and seek planting opportunities
- Plant and care for trees
- Manage local woods, for example by removing invasive species
- Survey trees to provide early warning of threats and disease
- Monitor special trees and find trees worthy of protection
- Encourage others to value the community’s trees and woodland
- Lead guided tree walks and give talks to local groups
- Find sites for tree planting and support community fundraising
- Assist fruit tree planting and orchard care
- Collect local trees’ seeds and grow trees
You should be able to give up some time, 12-24 hours a year (1-2 hours a month) exploring your local area and carrying out Tree Warden activities. You should have a willingness to learn and be happy to work outside, sometimes in remote locations. No experience is necessary as there will be practical help from the network and training available on a variety of tree-related topics.
Benefits:
- Discover more about tree planting, tree management, tree recording and tree protection
- Volunteer in the great outdoors
- Learn new skills and get access to training
- Be part of a Fife-wide volunteer network of people interested in trees and woodlands
- Meet new people with the potential to join local community/woodland groups
- Receive a reference, certificates of attendance etc. where required
Tree Warden Training:
There will be a range of free training opportunities across Fife throughout the year from hunting ancient trees and seed gathering, to growing and planting trees. Download our Fife Tree Warden Leaflet.
Interested to find out more? Please contact: Community Engagement Manager (Fife Climate Forest) Rebecca.Logsdon@fifecountryside.co.uk
Tree Wardens is a national scheme run by the Tree Council, supporting local groups across the UK. Fife is the second local authority Tree Warden scheme to set up in Scotland (Perth and Kinross being the first). The Fife Tree Warden Scheme was formally launched at CLEAR Buckhaven and Methil Community Tree Planting Day on 16th March 2023.
Fife Tree Warden scheme is funded by Fife Council and the Community Woodlands Association.
There are many ways to get involved in looking after Fife’s environment. why not become a Fife Coast and Countryside Trust volunteer?
Fife Climate Forest
Launched in October 2024, Fife Climate Forest and is a partnership working to care for the trees Fife has, and to plant new trees. It’s led by Fife Council and includes FCCT and Climate Action Fife.
Running Events
Fife Tree Wardens are NOT covered by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust insurance to run events. If you are looking to organise a community event (e.g. tree walk or talk, a community tree planting session) as a Fife Tree Warden, please contact Rebecca Logsdon, Community Tree Planting Officer beforehand so she can advise you on insurance, health and safety and child protection etc. We would still like to support you with this and find ways of working in partnership with FCCT or another existing community group or local school so that there is public liability insurance in place and health and safety guidance that you can follow. We will shortly be running some further training on organising events which will go over the things you need to consider – but don’t hesitate to contact Rebecca if you have any queries regarding this.