England to plant half a million trees
Half a million trees to be planted in England in three years, says government
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Warm-up
- What green places do you like in your town? Why?
- How does hot weather affect your daily life?
- Where would you like to plant a tree near you?
Vocabulary
- pledge
- to make a serious promise to do something
- funding
- money given for a special purpose
- restore
- to make something natural or good again
- drought
- a long time with little or no rain
- flood
- a lot of water that covers land after heavy rain
- shade
- a cool, darker area away from direct sun
- habitat
- the natural home of a plant or an animal
- charity
- an organisation that helps people, animals or nature
Reading
Listen to this story
American EnglishHalf a million trees will be planted in England in the next three years. Angela Eagle, the environment secretary, will pledge this plan at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. The £79m package includes £53m for tree-planting and £26m for local nature recovery strategies.
Funding will go to mayors, local authorities and charities to restore wetlands, river edges and meadows. Trees help in extreme weather. In cities they give shade and can lower air temperatures by 4C. One mature tree can intercept 15,000 litres of water a year, which can reduce flood risks during storms and after drought.
Trees also cut noise, absorb air pollution and create habitats for wildlife. England has lost more than 90% of its wetlands over the last century. Two charity leaders said the plan is encouraging and makes economic and ecological sense.
Comprehension
- How many trees are planned, and over how long?
- Where will Angela Eagle make the pledge?
- How much money goes to tree-planting and to nature strategies?
- Who will receive funding to restore local nature?
- Name two benefits trees can bring in cities.
Grammar focus
Would like vs like
Use like for general habits and preferences. Use would like to express a wish now or for a specific time. Forms: like + noun/verb-ing; would like + to + verb. (Examples constructed.)
- Many people would like more trees in their streets.
- City residents like green parks and shady paths.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with like or would like.
- Residents usually (like) ___ shade from street trees.
- Today many volunteers (like) ___ to help plant saplings.
- City schools often (like) ___ greener playgrounds.
- This week councillors (like) ___ to join a planting day.
- Every summer, families (like) ___ picnics by rivers.
Discussion
- Would you like more trees on your street? Why or why not?
- Which needs restoring first near you: a river edge or a meadow? Why?
- What simple actions could your town take to stay cooler in summer?
- How can charities and councils work well together on nature projects?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback
Spotted a mistake in this lesson? Tell us.