DE&S and Ministry of Justice tree growing initiative flourishes
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-10)

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) joined forces with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to help prisoners develop their horticulture skills.

This initiative is part of a wider sustainability initiative to plant 30,000 trees (20 hectares) on MOD land.

Responding to the recognised threat of climate change, the project is underway at the Defence Munitions (DM) Plymouth ammunition site managed by DE&S, with Minister for Armed Forces, Luke Pollard having planted one of the first trees.

Nearly half of the saplings – which are a mix of native broadleaves, conifers, Western Red Cedar and Coastal Redwood – have been procured by DE&S from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as part of a cross-Government social value contract and were grown across four UK prisons by those on its rehabilitation scheme.

The tree species and forest structure have been chosen to create a diverse woodland that is resilient to climate change and the associated environmental risks such as fire and flooding. The aim is that the new forest will also increase biodiversity, habitat creation and connectivity in and around the local area.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:

I am delighted to see the MOD and MOJ working together to support the rehabilitation of prisoners and improve the biodiversity in Plymouth while keeping our nation safe.

National security is the foundation of this government’s missions, and we will continue to ensure we are safe at home – delivering on our Plan for Change.

The project, coordinated by Lucy de Vial, Net Zero Carbon Project Manager at DE&S, is part of a wider collaboration with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and logistics provider Vivo, and its industry service provider Pryor & Rickett Silviculture, in line with the DE&S Nature Recovery Plan, and the MOD’s wider Net Zero 2050 Strategy to support natural carbon sequestration.

Lucy, Net Zero Carbon Project Manager at DE&S, said:

We are immensely proud to be working with the Ministry of Justice in our mission to address growing climate change concerns. We are the first, and so far, only, Government department to purchase MoJ saplings on this scale, and in doing so we are supporting the continuation of this scheme that has already had a very positive effect on those participating.

This project is a great example of the sustainability and social value benefits our work brings as part of our endeavors to protect the nation and help it prosper.

The saplings have been grown at HMP North Sea Camp, HMP Haverigg, HMP Huntercombe, and HMP Wymott and were regularly watered, nurtured, weeded and fed by those on the rehabilitation programme.

Lord Timpson OBE, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:

This exciting collaboration is giving prisoners the opportunity to gain new skills, making them more employable while also contributing to the fight against climate change.

Knowing that their hard work is making a tangible difference is incredibly empowering and motivating, fostering a sense of purpose and self-worth. This is vital for their successful reintegration into society and to help reduce reoffending.

Through the initiative, the MoJ has supplied high quality saplings to the MOD at cost value, helping to save taxpayers money, while supporting prisoners to develop their skills and gain qualifications.

Mel Downer, MoJ OGD Senior National Lead Manager said:

We work closely with businesses to ensure the in-demand skills developed through this scheme match their needs, which increases prisoners’ employment opportunities on release, and reduces the likelihood of reoffending.

Growing and caring for seeds and saplings has also supported their mental health through spending time outside, learning about and investing in nature, which is hugely beneficial.

The project has also been supported by Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest (PSDCF) – a partnership between Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council, National Trust and the Woodland Trust. PSDCF awarded DE&S a grant of up to £300,000 for the tree planting and 10 years of maintenance from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Nature for Climate fund.

While DIO Technical Services Forestry Team were responsible for preparing a woodland creation design to bring the idea to life, Vivo and its subcontractor, Pryor & Rickett Silviculture, will now continue with planting activity over the coming months. From spring onward, the project will focus on the installation of the mulch mats, followed by mowing, weeding and then regular maintenance.

DE&S’ longer-term goal is to plant more than 600,000 trees across the wider MOD estate, to further enhance protection at sites from future climate change, and environmental challenges.