October 9th 2023
WATCH: Creating 10ha of new woodland in North Yorkshire
Thirsk Hall Estates, on the edge of the North York Moors, has begun efforts to create new habitats and support biodiversity.
In total, 10 hectares of new woodland will be planted as part of the project, which will transform unproductive farmland into a nature rich area, contributing to climate action in the process.
The work has been made possible through one of the UK’s most ambitious environmental organisations. The White Rose Forest is a key member of the wider Northern Forest, a Woodland Trust-led push to introduce 50million new trees around cities of Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Hull.
Not only is the organisation fundamental to those efforts by overseeing activities in North and West Yorkshire, White Rose Forest also offers completely free support and 100% of project funding to all landowners and agents across England with an interest in planting and developing natural habitats on their estates. Another sign that knowledge-sharing is at the heart of climate action.
A number of videos shared to YouTube evidence this, including a highly details webinar made for people charged with managing highly vulnerable and irreplaceable ancient woodland in the UK. This includes basic introductions to help understand what the term ‘ancient woodland’ refers to, advice on woodland supplements and other possible funnels of financial support, and more.
We’ve chosen one of the short films below, which gives an overview of how a project at Thirsk Hall Estates actually works. This includes explanations of the input different professionals and experts can offer, how everything from labour to design has been paid for, and exactly what this undertaking will offer in the future, and why more farmers need to think seriously about land use.
You can find a complete set of White Rose Forest videos here.
More about biodiversity and woodland:
Biodiversity monitoring is possible, just look at air quality
It does grow on trees: Afforestation could add £2bn to economy
Image: David Vig