North Yorkshire Council has agreed to press ahead with a project to turbo-charge the planting of trees and woodland in the region.
The White Rose Forest is a project that has already seen nearly 2,000 acres of new woodland planted in the last year alone.
It works with a network of over 100 landowners to create new woodlands, rather than managing one contiguous forest.
Here's White Rose Forest Strategic Plan Lead Officer, Andrew Kerr, who explains the idea:
" [It's] a 25 year ambition to increase coverage of trees to 16.5%. From currently it's 12%, so an increase of of tree planting. It sets out a target to protect and restore more trees. Currently 62% has been managed and it is set a target to 70% and also much more engagement with people, communities, and businesses in planning Woodland, which is looking at 50% of all households, therefore enabled to access woodland, which brings in the sort of final objective, which is that it becomes part of health and wellbeing of those places.
"So it helps to bring in new investment, helps to decarbonise. Resolve some of the issues around soil erosion and helps to reduce flooding, supports wildlife."
North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith highlighted the plan’s boldness and ambition, which would bring huge benefits to the region.
Councillor Jenny Kent noted that it also aligned with City of York Council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Local Plan, and that in an urban area with limited council-owned land in York, the opportunity to support such projects was welcome.
Councillor Janet Sanderson said the benefits to flood mitigation were particularly positive, and cited the example of Dalby Forest, where flooding in nearby villages had reduced greatly since it was planted.
Mr Kerr added:
" In a sense the strategy is really important and us as a partner, really important in the sense of it becoming an attraction. It helps in terms of the business side 'cause there is quite a large Timberwood products business and industry in this area. Obviously on the environmental side, and as I've already said, it becomes a really important community asset in terms of attracting places have been attractive places to live.
"And in particularly one of our initiatives is the Green Streets Initiative, so bringing trees into the towns. So the recommendation is to support the white rose for a strategic plan, endorse that plan so that we can demonstrate the combined authority as a key strategic partner. I think the plan itself is due to be launched, I think just into the new year as far as I'm aware."
Extensive stakeholder and public engagement was undertaken, with strong support expressed for the Plan’s ambition and direction.
The Plan is expected to be formally launched in the new year.
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