Working with Lewisham Council and local community groups, trees will be planted in parks, streets near schools and amenity greenspaces in housing estates.
Hundreds of trees will be planted in 2020, which marks 125 years since the National Trust was founded.
In the late 19th century its founders were seeking ways to address the impact of industrialisation in London, and the failure of anyone to look after the Sayes Court Estate in Deptford was one of the failures that sparked the creation of the National Trust.
Lewisham councillor and cabinet member for environment and transport, Sophie McGeevor, commented: "The programme will not only give residents an opportunity to enjoy the natural environment, it will also play a key role in improving air quality in the borough.
“The environmental and social benefits of green spaces in urban areas like Lewisham cannot be underestimated.”
The council’s environmental team and National Trust specialists will lead the programme, working in collaboration with park user groups and residents.
The Lewisham urban tree planting programme aims to improve access to high quality green spaces and connect residents to nature in a time when the need for public greenspace and clean air in urban centres is more important than ever.
Lewisham Council recently declared a climate emergency, and the National Trust’s London team is undertaking a number of projects delivering a new strategy for urban places.
This involves working “beyond our places, exploring ways to work with new partners to protect and bring alive the heritage and green spaces.”
“We are delighted to be working with Lewisham Council and local park users to plant trees in a place that has a special link to the formation of the National Trust,” said Nicola Briggs, regional director for London and South East of the National Trust.
“ Our founders recognised the importance of access to nature and greenery for people’s wellbeing which is at the forefront of our work in London today."
The tree planting project is part of a larger initiative by Lewisham Council and park user group Deptford Folk to plant 400 trees in 2020 to mark the 400 years since the birth of John Evelyn, the 17th century diarist who lived in the Sayes Court Estate and created its famous gardens.
Trina Lynskey, chair of DeptfordFolk, added: "Celebrating the legacy of John Evelyn, Octavia Hill and the National Trust in Deptford reminds us it is no accident that trees, parks and green spaces survive at the heart of our communities.
“Working together to preserve and enhance green spaces now and for the future allows us to become part of that legacy.”
