York's New 193-Acre Community Woodland

Spanning from North Field Lane near Knapton to Harewood Whin, this woodland project has been five years in the making. Over 210,000 young trees and shrubs have been planted across the site, which now features a network of footpaths. While the trees are still in their early stages of growth, the woodland is already attracting local wildlife, including barn owls and red kites.

Cllr Jenny Kent, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, highlighted the significance of the woodland for both the community and the environment. "Over 210,000 new trees have been planted, one for each resident of York, to create a wonderful space for nature and people alike, and help mitigate some of our city’s carbon emissions," she said.

The woodland, developed on land owned by the City of York Council and managed by Forestry England, will serve as a valuable green space for the community, offering walking, cycling, and horse-riding trails. The project is part of a larger national initiative, supported by the Nature for Climate Fund, to plant 5,000 acres of new woodland across the country by 2026.