Plan to plant 134 million trees launched in North and West Yorkshire
It's part of a 25 year plan to create a greener region
A plan has been unveiled to plant 134 million trees across North and West Yorkshire over the next 25 years.
It's part of a project from community woodland organisation White Rose Forest, which wants to increase tree cover across the two regions from 12% to 16.5%
The plan also includes goals for sustainable woodland management, improving community access to green spaces, and engaging thousands of local people annually in tree planting.
The project will be delivered in collaboration with landowners, local organisations, businesses, charities, and Defra.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said, “I want every child in West Yorkshire to grow up with nature on their doorstep, and the White Rose Forest is helping to make that possible.”
“This is about rolling up our sleeves, taking practical steps to tackle the climate emergency and create a greener, more vibrant region that works for all.
"Together, we’re growing a well-wooded landscape that will strengthen our resilience and support our communities’ wellbeing for generations to come.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added: “We’re incredibly lucky to have the coast and countryside on our doorstep, but for many people in our towns and cities, those spaces can still feel like a long way away.
“When we know how important spending time in nature is for our mental and physical wellbeing, we need to do more to make it more accessible.
"By working with West Yorkshire to plant millions of trees every year, we are connecting our communities with nature, tackling climate change and growing our White Rose Forest.”
The plan also sets out targets for 2050, such as increasing sustainably managed woodland from 62% to 70%, raising the number of households near woodland from 25% to 50%, and engaging up to 16,000 people each year in tree-related activities.