Tree Stories is a long-term, county-wide project, developed in partnership with community groups, arts organisations, and local artist Lauren Saunders. It combines participatory creativity with grassroots climate action to inspire care for our local trees.

The project grew out of Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth’s priority around Protecting Trees. It's aim is to encourage new trees to be planted, existing trees to be better cared for, and help contribute to local climate resilience, biodiversity, and long-term stewardship through creativity and education  - embedding environmental action into everyday community life.

You can get involved in a number of ways:

• Spend time with a tree and help tell it's story in whatever way makes most sense to you both. You can respond in whatever way feels right: creatively, scientifically, historically or personally - every kind of response is welcome.  Submit your 'Tree Story' using the details outlined below.

• Take part in any number of the local 'Tree Stories' activities put on by HERFoE and it's community partners. Learn how to better care for existing trees, plant new ones, explore creative, scientific, heritage or spiritual connections with nature, find inspiration to submit a Tree Story, and discover fresh perspectives on the living world we share. Learn about the ever-growing activity programme below, or follow HERFoE on social media.

• Encourage your family, friends, colleagues or people you support to get involved. Plan your own tree-loving family activities, organise something in the workplace, or simply help promote the project by printing off and putting up posters, resharing on socials and telling everyone you know about it. 

• If you are part of an organisation that could help support the public in creating responses, or are able host free tree-themed events in the community as part of your planned programming... please get in touch by emailing arts@hfoe.org.uk! We are keen to bring all corners of the community together under the Tree Stories umbrella and help highlight all the fantastic projects that take place on our doorsteps.

Building on our longstanding support for local climate-arts initiatives, Hull and East Riding Friends of the Earth are proud to be collaborating with our Arts Lead, Lauren Saunders, to co-design and manage the creative delivery of Tree Stories. Lauren is a local visual and participatory artist with extensive experience in creative, nature-based and community storytelling projects. 

We’re also excited to be working with a range of community partners across East Yorkshire, who are supporting Tree Stories in different ways:

• Encouraging participation - helping communities create and share their tree stories.

• Hosting activities - offering free events, workshops, walks, talks and other opportunities to celebrate and learn about trees.

• Providing specialist advice - sharing expert knowledge to help shape the project, ensure good conservation practice, and support participants.

Thank you to all those supporting us to support our shared communities - we couldn't do something this special without you!

Are you a local organisation or individual interested in supporting Tree Stories? Please email arts@hfoe.org.uk with your offer.