Together For Trees Aims To Plant 22 New Woodlands

Nearly 27,000 trees are set to be planted in the Yorkshire Dales thanks to Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s Together for Trees appeal.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Clapham-based charity will help create 22 new woodlands as well as planting additional trees to mitigate the impact of ash dieback in several of its existing sites.

Trees are a vital part of counteracting Britain’s contribution to global warming and YDMT wants to plant 100,000 in the next two years.

More than 1,000 have been planted recently at Bargh Wood in Stainforth and Pasture Wood in Grassington as part of National Tree planting week.

Carol Douglas, YDMT Woodland Officer, said: “Together for Trees is not just about planting trees, it is about bringing people together to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of creating new woodland. This winter more than 19 hectares of woodland will be created – that’s the equivalent of more than 23 football pitches – and we have been joined by more than 100 volunteers, including 60 of our corporate supporters to do so.

“Bargh Wood is an exposed site in Stainforth and landowner David Parker has been keen to do everything he can to establish his woodland.

“As well as removing redundant plastic tree tubes and general maintenance we have been planting trees to mitigate Ash dieback. This will make the woodland more resilient and ensure good tree cover in the long term.”

One of the groups who braved icy conditions at Bargh Wood was Action on Climate Emergency (ACE) Settle and area.

They were established in early 2019 to look at increasing the biodiversity of the local area as well as focusing on energy, sustainable transport and food.

The group now has more than 70 supporters, runs a number of events to enable local people to get involved and circulates an e-newsletter to keep everyone informed of the key issues.

Sarah Wiltshire from ACE said:
“ACE are an action based group who bring people together to make a difference to our climate. We were established because we felt as a collective we could make changes in our community that could benefit future generations.

“We are in the last decade for us to make any significant difference to our climate – and doing things like this at a local level is vital if we are to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change.

“The site at Bargh Wood has the Ribble Way footpath coming through it so it’s really important that people see the work that is being done, including the number of trees that have been planted here. The habitat created will help increase wildlife as well as take carbon out of the atmosphere.

“We really enjoyed tree planting with YDMT and we’re looking forward to doing more in the future.”

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £50,000 towards the appeal which has enabled the planting of around 13,000 native broadleaf trees and hedgerow plants to improve woodland connectivity and biodiversity.

Will Humpington, Climate Change and Environmental Programmes Advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, added:
“It’s great to hear that the Together for Trees campaign is once again making a significant impact on the ground in the Yorkshire Dales.

“Thanks to players’ support, YDMT can continue their vital work in not only creating new woodland but bringing people together to tackle climate change and enjoy the wellbeing effects of being outside in the countryside.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the results of this campaign in the landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.”