Tree planting is perhaps what the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is most well known for. Since we first started out in 1996 we’ve been helping to restore native broadleaved woodlands throughout the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale. It’s something that’s very close to our hearts.
The Trust has planted a little over 1 million trees in the Dales so far!
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is part of the Dales Woodland Forum. The Forum’s Dales Woodland Strategy aims to double the amount of broadleaved woodland in the dales by 2020. This will be done by creating new broadleaved and mixed plantations, ideally next to existing woodland. Tree species planted will be those naturally found in the Dales, including ash, oak, downy birch, rowan and alder.
Why plant trees?
Woodland restoration is not just about planting trees. It’s about rebuilding habitats for hundreds of species of wildlife. It’s about creating spaces for people to enjoy. In the Yorkshire Dales it’s also about restoring part of our natural landscape that has been lost due to deforestation. The Dales has less broadleaf woodland than any other national park, only 4.5% of the land is covered by trees compared with the national average of 9%. Of this, nearly half is conifer plantation.
Of course ultimately planting trees is about sustaining life on Earth.
See details of our Supporter Woodlands on our Interactive Map.
Dedicate a tree
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. Dedicate a tree in the Yorkshire Dales today and help us restore hundreds of native, broadleaved woodlands which have been lost due to deforestation.
How to dedicate
Working in partnership
We’re not alone in our campaign to bring beautiful native woodlands back to the Dales. The Dales Woodland Restoration programme is delivered in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Forestry Commission, Nidderdale AONB, Yorwoods and Natural England. Funding for woodland projects is available through many of these organisations and in Nidderdale additional funds are available through SITA, which are landfill tax monies also delivered through the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
You!
Crucially, half of the funding for our woodland restoration work must come from you, our supporters, to match grants we receive.
Landowners
Of course none of our work would be possible without suitable planting sites – so landowners play a vital part in the Dales Woodland Restoration programme. The scheme can provide substantial grants to landowners who are interested in planting trees. We also provide full support throughout the process of woodland creation including site assessments, grant application, planning, obtaining quotations from contractors, and then overseeing the planting. The scheme also provides long-term maintenance agreements, monitoring and support.
Find out more about getting a grant to create new woodland by emailing chris.lodge@ydmt.org.
Downloads
Nidderdale AONB Woodland Opportunities Plan
Dales Woodland Strategy 2007-2012