Planting trees is one of the best ways we can protect the health of our planet for future generations. And it’s very close to our hearts at Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. The woodlands we have here in the Dales define our landscape, provide irreplaceable habitats for wildlife and peaceful places for people to connect with nature.

25 years ago we joined forces with other organisations to expand tree cover across the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. Since then, we’ve supported the planting of over 1.5 million native broadleaf trees.  

We’re not alone in our campaign to bring native woodlands back to the Dales. We work with partners, landowners and rely on donations and support from many thousands of people who share our love of trees.

Why do we need more trees in the Dales? 

Planting trees is absolutely critical to help tackle climate change and nature loss. And it's even more important here in the Yorkshire Dales where woodland cover is just over 4% - compared to the national average of about 9%. Diseases, poor management, and our increasing disconnection with nature, all place a significant threat on the valuable woodlands we have left.  

As a member of the Dales Woodland Forum our vision for 2040 is that:

Trees and woodlands in the Yorkshire Dales will: contribute significantly to a carbon net zero National Park, enable habitat connectivity, improve water quality and reduce flooding, in a way that enhances the landscape and special qualities of the area, provide health and amenity benefits to people, and be economic for landowners.

In order to fulfil this vision, woodlands will need to expand in size and number and become increasingly connected as well as being resilient and sustainably managed.

Our aim is to create 6,000 hectares of woodland habitat in the Yorkshire Dales National Park by 2040. That would take the area of the National Park covered by woodland, which is currently the smallest of any of England’s National Parks, from 4.3% to 7%.

 

Woodlands of all shapes and sizes

At YDMT we support woodland schemes of all shapes and sizes, including copses, connective planting and hedgerows as well as riparian strips along riverbanks. Smaller scale woodland creation is normally underfunded and overlooked, but has immense value for people, landscape and wildlife. These woodlands will absorb carbon, connect habitats, improve water quality and reduce flooding, as well as providing beautiful spaces for people to enjoy.

 

Woodland Management 

"Smaller woodlands have the potential to be mighty marvels, as a biodiverse patchwork quilt across the region, but we need to ensure they progress to full maturity, for amenity, for a landowner’s needs and especially for biodiversity.” YDMT Woodland Officer Mike Appleton.

YDMT's Woodland Management programme launched in 2023, thanks to funding from the Peter Sowerby Foundation, to enhance the patchwork mosaic of woodlands across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale, and beyond, into parts of Cumbria and the Forest of Bowland. 

The scheme focuses on smaller woodlands - where previously funding and support for woodland management was not available. It will prepare small woodland management plans for landowners, and offer grants for management tasks such as thinning, underplanting and repairing boundaries.

Find out about Woodland Management >

 

 

Learn more about our woodland work 

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