New woodland boosts biodiversity on Yorkshire Dales farm

November 13, 2023

A thriving woodland on a Yorkshire Dales farm is helping to demonstrate how planting trees and hedgerows can benefit farming, as well as creating vital habitats for wildlife and tackling climate change.

Westfields Farm in Chapel-le-Dale has seen 2,000 new trees planted along a beck, as well as new native hedgerow to create a wildlife corridor. YDMT and farmer Sandra Ireton invited members of the Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network and The Soil Association to see how the woodland creation scheme has complemented Sandra’s sheep enterprise.

She spoke about buffer strips, hedge planting and shelter belts which go hand-in-hand with livestock grazing on the farm. YDMT’s woodlands team work with farmers to help them plant trees on their land, advising them on funding schemes, planting opportunities and providing practical help and information on how to grow and maintain woodland.

Woodland Grants

Woodlands Officer Mike Appleton said: “We spoke about the various funding and grant schemes that can help farmers create and establish new tree planting opportunities on the farm, with an aim to complement the farming business rather than having an either-or choice.”

“It was great to show the group how well our scheme at Westfields is doing, not only in creating essential wildlife habitat but also providing future benefits for Sandra’s farm.”

Find out more about woodland grants from Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.