Wakefield Council is calling for volunteers to help plant up to 50,000 trees to form two new woods.
The planting will take place over five weeks in January and February and there will be 12 days when members of the public are encouraged to join in.
The Council is planting between 30,000 and 50,000 trees on 19 hectares of land in the Gawthorpe area of Ossett and Snapethorpe area of Lupset. Last winter, more than 50,000 trees were planted on 24 sites across the district and 400 volunteers took part, including 176 children.
Councillor Jack Hemingway, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Planting thousands of trees is a big task and everyone is welcome to join us – individuals, families, schools, community groups and businesses.”
“I helped with a number of planting sessions last year when we planted more than 50,000 trees. We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic volunteers.”
“It’s a great way to get outside, get your hands dirty and do something good for your community – help tackle climate change and make Wakefield a greener and healthier place to live.”
“Every tree we plant will capture a tonne of carbon, help prevent flooding and provide habitat for wildlife, and the new woods will provide green havens for future generations to enjoy.”
The public planting days at the Snapethorpe site will take place on:
• Wednesday 25th January
• Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January
• Wednesday 1st February
• Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February
• Wednesday 8th February
• Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February
People are also invited to help plant at the smaller Gawthorpe site on:
• Wednesday 22nd February
• Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February
There will be two-hour sessions in the mornings and afternoons. Volunteers are asked to register to ensure there is enough equipment. For more details and how to register visit here:
The trees will be a mix of broadleaved and coniferous native trees, carefully selected to thrive in the environment.
Wakefield Council will continue to plant trees at various locations across the district over the next few years. The Council is a partner in the White Rose Forest initiative, which will form part of the Northern Forest of 50 million trees.
Creating new woodlands is part of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, a mission to make the authority’s operation carbon neutral by 2030 and help the entire district achieve ‘net zero’ by 2038.
The Council is also inviting members of the public to help name the woods. There is still time to vote on a shortlist of three options for each site. People can vote on the Council’s Facebook page or by completing the online survey here. The vote closes on 27 January 2023.