Ambitions outlined for South Yorkshire tree-planting

The Mayor of the Sheffield City Region has agreed a new partnership that lays the groundwork for an ambitious campaign to plant trees and create more woodland.

The partnership between Sheffield City Region and the South Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership will produce a shared plan for tree planting, based on careful research to identify sites that provide the greatest benefits while avoiding valuable natural habitats of other kinds.

The Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority declared a climate emergency in November 2019, and in January published a framework setting out a roadmap to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the UK government’s target. That framework included a commitment to support the growth of the Northern Forest, which aims to see at least 50 million new trees established over the next 25 years.

To support the project, the partnership is recruiting for a Woodland Creation Officer who will spearhead the work across South Yorkshire.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “This partnership provides a foundation for an ambitious programme to plant trees and create woodland both in and around our city, towns and villages in South Yorkshire. That work will help us to fulfil our commitment to tackle the climate crisis, protect our wildlife, and reduce the risk of more devastating floods like we saw last year. But it will also help our economy and create jobs at a time of massive economic disruption, give more people access to nature, and green our streets – improving the quality of life for our communities in ways big and small.”