French town gives residents trees to add greenery to the local area

A town in France has launched a campaign to gift trees to residents who request one, in a bid to promote biodiversity and improve residents’ wellbeing.

The council in Nogent-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne, Ile-de-France) voted for the €30,000 initiative in April, and the scheme is now running until August 31.

Each resident can request one tree per year, through a letter to the mairie.

After a request is received, a town employee will head to the resident’s home, to check that there is a suitable area for a tree to be planted, and to help the resident prepare if so. The technician will also determine the type of tree that will work best for the space.

For the request to be granted, the resident must be the owner or co-owner of a space that is suitable and pass the check.

Once the request is accepted, the tree will be sent to the resident’s home and planted, with the resident then receiving tips on how to help the tree thrive.

The trees are set to be planted in October and December 2022.

The aim of the scheme is to add greenery to private properties, as a complement to the existing municipal green spaces.

The budget will be split, with €15,000 going towards the purchase of the trees, and €15,000 towards helping with the planting and management.

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