Green Streets, the hugely successful community urban greening project run by Red Rose Forest has expanded into Salford in Greater Manchester by appointing Ben Greenaway as the new Green Streets Co-ordinator.

Ben was picked out from a number of high quality candidates to co-ordinate activity throughout this area and Red Rose Forest is sure that he will live up to his name!

After two and a half years of great success in Manchester and Trafford, Red Rose Forest has now committed to bringing high quality, community-led and innovative greening schemes through Green Streets to Salford, an area that covers 37 square miles, is home to around 220,000 people and is currently undergoing considerable environmental regeneration.

So far, Green Streets has planted over 350 trees in it's current areas of operation, with an unprecedented survival rate of 98.8% for its 'green schemes'; even those in the most deprived and challenging areas. Ben's challenge is to deliver equally well in Salford. The areas that he will be working in initially are Seedley and Langworthy, Kersal, Charlestown, Broughton and Weaste.

Green Streets Manager, Pete Stringer believes Ben has the qualities needed to make a real difference in Salford. He said: "Ben was formerly employed as a Tree Officer at Manchester City Council and has a proven track record of working with community groups on street planting and other greening projects. His experience of delivering projects of this nature will give him a head start with his new post and I am certain that he will be able to replicate the success of the Manchester and Trafford Green Streets Programme in his work with Salford. Ben will be a valuable new addition to the Red Rose Forest Team."

Ben was clearly thrilled to be given the position. He said: "I'm really looking forward to making a difference in Salford. I want to pass on the experience I have to both the Green Streets team and to the people of Salford. With your help we will make this project a great success."

For any general information about the Green Streets project please contact Faith Ashworth at Red Rose Forest on 0161 872 1660 or for more specific enquiries Pete Stringer on 0161 872 1660.

Notes to the Editor

Red Rose Forest
Red Rose Forest is Greater Manchester's Community Forest, one of the 12 being developed across the country, all of which are committed to greening and regenerating our landscape.

Red Rose Forest is a Partnership of the Countryside Agency, the Forestry Commission and six Greater Manchester Authorities including; Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Wigan. A wider partnership is actively involved in developing the Forest in many different ways across the Forest area. This partnership includes landowners, businesses, Government agencies, environmental and voluntary bodies, countryside services, communities, schools and many individuals.

Green Streets is a Red Rose Forest Trust project in partnership with Manchester City Council, Trafford MBC, Salford City Council, the Community Technical Aid Centre, Marketing Manchester and United Utilities.
Funding for Green Streets has been provided by Viridor Waste Management, Environmental Action Fund, Marketing Manchester (ERDF), Manchester City Council, Trafford MBC, Salford City Council, Booth Charities, Groundwork and United Utilities plc.

Forest Facts
Of the region's land area, 30 per cent is built up and only 3.8 per cent is wooded. The national average for woodland cover is 8 per cent and the European average woodland cover is 33 per cent - meaning that the Northwest region is severely lagging behind!

Over 70 per cent of land in the Northwest is suitable for woodland planting.
Energy consumption can be 10 per cent lower in buildings sheltered by trees.

A large beech tree can provide enough oxygen for the daily requirement of ten people.

Greenery can reduce noise pollution by as much as 6-8 decibels in urban areas.

Red Rose Forest is planting 25 million trees over 40 years.

It costs between £7 and £10 to plant a tree in a new woodland scheme and around £300 to plant a street tree in an urban area

Green facts for life

Urban trees help to lower the impact of rainstorms by reducing the amount of water entering our drainage systems.

Energy consumption can be as much as 10% lower in buildings sheltered by trees.
Trees and vegetation counteract the effects of global warming by absorbing light, releasing moisture and reflecting heat.

Trees and other greenery add value to our urban areas by making them more attractive for investment.