Bristol, trees and good food: Let’s grow a greener city!

Our latest story is by Alice Peperell, the newly appointed Interim Bristol Good Food 2030 Partnership Coordinator, who has recently stepped into the role to continue driving forward the city’s efforts in sustainable food and environmental initiatives while Gemma Charnock is on maternity leave.

Hello Bristol!

I’m Alice, and I’m excited to step into the role of Interim Bristol Good Food 2030 Partnership Coordinator while Gemma takes her maternity leave. I’ve lived in Bristol for the past three years, and I’m absolutely in love with this city’s unique energy. Now, I’m excited to get to work on Bristol’s food and environmental initiatives, helping to drive positive change alongside the fantastic organisations and people in this city.

Over the years, I’ve gone from production and marketing in the arts and culture world to leading purpose-driven projects that tackle everything from decarbonising steel to trying (and sometimes failing) to grow veggies on my allotment. I’ve also worked with the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership, and I’m currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Development at UWE.

In my new role, I’ll be working with a variety of organisations to create a food system that benefits not just people but the planet. It’s a tall order, but one thing Bristol’s taught me is that big changes happen when we work together. And spoiler alert: trees play a HUGE role in all this.

Notice this tree: a personal and community-driven event

Alongside my work with Bristol Good Food 2030, I’m also helping to coordinate an event close to my heart, Notice This Tree.

On Sunday 15 September, we’ll come together to reflect on the impact of tree loss in Bristol and beyond. The day will feature a tree walk, a ceremony at the Bear Pit, and a screening of The Happy Man Tree at The Cube, followed by a discussion.

It’s a chance to notice, connect, and reflect — much like the Notice This Tree tapestry that’s travelled across the UK, weaving together communities who love and want to protect nature.

Trees, social justice and food: what’s the connection?

What do trees have to do with food systems? Quite a lot, actually. Trees are crucial for improving soil health, managing water, and promoting biodiversity, all of which are vital for growing food — especially in cities like Bristol. Plus, they help regulate our climate, which is key if we want to keep growing food in a changing world.

Here’s a little nugget: Bristol’s Tree Equity Index shows that some areas have way less tree coverage than others. This matters because communities with fewer trees tend to face more environmental challenges like higher temperatures, and they also have less support for things like local food growing. Protecting and planting trees is crucial to building healthy, thriving neighbourhoods where people, nature, and food systems can all flourish.

Trees are more than just pretty landmarks; they do the heavy lifting when it comes to cooling our streets, absorbing carbon, and providing habitats for local wildlife. They can lower city temperatures by up to 12°C, provide much-needed shade during heatwaves and support biodiversity, which is essential for healthy ecosystems and, our food systems.

This event is a chance to come together and take a moment to appreciate Bristol’s green spaces — especially as urban trees face removal due to redevelopment and other challenges. While there are times when trees may need to be removed for safety or development reasons, it doesn’t diminish the sadness that comes with losing them. Notice This Tree is more than just an event for me; it’s a personal call to action. It’s about acknowledging the value of trees in our city, grieving the changes we see, and recognising the role they play in sustainability, community wellbeing, and the natural world that supports us all.

How you can get involved

Feeling inspired? Join us on Sunday 15 September! Walk from your favourite tree and meet at the Bear Pit for a 3pm ceremony, followed by The Happy Man Tree screening at The Cube. Grab your tickets, join the WhatsApp group, or explore the Notice This Tree map to find a tree near you — all via this link. 

Tree planting is a fantastic collective activity, and winter is the perfect time to get started! Local groups across the city are getting involved in tree planting, like Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, Avon Needs Trees, Bristol Tree Forum, Black to Nature, and broader nature connection events hosted by Bristol’s global majority through Nature Rising. These projects are not only great for the planet, but they’re also a brilliant way to meet like-minded people and have some fun outdoors.

Let’s work together

I’m truly excited to be back working for Bristol at such a pivotal time for our city’s priorities around food, climate, nature and social justice.

If you’d like to chat or get involved in either Bristol Good Food 2030 or Notice This Tree, feel free to reach out at alice@bristolfoodnetwork.org.