AN unsung eco champion has been honoured for his pioneering action to tackle climate change and reverse nature’s decline.

John Meehan is head of climate adaptation and mitigation at Essex County Council.

Landscape company Ground Control has dedicated a tree to him at the new Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery, at Wethersfield.

Twenty-six young alder, beech, birch, hornbeam, field maple, and white willow trees were planted to mark the COP26 climate conference, and 26 “environmental heroes” are being celebrated with a tree dedicated to them in First Avenue – the first tree planting project at the Wildfell Centre.

Ground Control took over the 296-acre former Gray’s Farm last April.

The farmland is part of a showcase nature recovery project and will be transformed with the creation of new woodlands, restoration of hedgerows and planting of wildflower meadows.

Residents can get involved in many of the projects, from November.

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Ground Control’s Chris Bawtree said: “As the UK starts a decade of accelerated climate action, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the inspirational environmental heroes who are already driving change and delivering positive action.

“As head of climate adaptation and mitigation at Essex County Council, John Meehan has been an inspiration to Ground Control and we’d like to share our sincere thanks by giving John this recognition.”

County Hall climate czar Peter Schwier said: "The Wildfell Centre is transforming ecologically degraded farmland to restore biodiversity with meadows, hedgerows and woodlands which everyone can enjoy, and which will contribute very positively to the county’s climate action plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"The addition of research facilities and hands-on learning opportunities for the community will make it a showcase nature recovery project."