The many benefits trees and woodland bring to our environment have been well-documented They are of vital importance in maintaining and improving the quality of life for local people.

Woodland provides essential space for quiet recreational activities such as walking, jogging, playing and observing wildlife.

The opportunity to escape into areas of woodland, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, is very important and should not be taken for granted.

It is our duty to ensure that, as well as ourselves, future generations are able to enjoy these benefits. To this end, a scheme involving thousands of schoolchildren is helping to ensure that one area of woodland is appreciated and nurtured by future generations.

It is a chilly but fine morning.

Shafts of sunlight are finding their way through the trees in Bradford beauty spot Judy Woods.

The mature woodland, full of native species, is today dotted with fluorescent yellow - small spots moving about the hillside.

As you near, the dots become little people - children, digging the ground, shifting soil, making holes for the dozens of saplings both they and their teachers have brought to this picturesque site.

The six and seven-year-olds are all Year Two pupils at Shirley Manor Primary School in nearby Methuen Oval.

They are making their first trip to the woodland - the third largest in the Bradford district - as part of an ongoing project linking the school with Judy Woods and educating the pupils about the vital role played by trees in our lives, why we need to preserve them and how we can do that.

As part of this work, they are planting trees to grow in an accessible part of Bradford, which they can visit with their families.

"The children are very excited," says teacher Katy Griffiths. "We are learning all about trees, about paper and recycling. They are so enthusiastic and keep saying that if they don't plant the trees there will be no paper."

She adds: "The pupils come here with their families. Some come to walk dogs. Now they show their parents where they have been with school, and tell them: "This is my tree."

They are not the only pupils making the trip to Judy Woods. The same week, 2,000 children from six other local primary schools - Hilltop in Low Moor, High Fernley in Wyke, Worthinghead, also in Wyke, Reevy Hill, Woodside, and Moorend in Cleckheaton - will all visit the wood armed with spades.

They work in pairs, sharing tools, to plant a variety of native species - oak, hazel, holly and field maple.

Thousands of other youngsters from local schools have already visited the woods under the scheme, which is now in its fifth year. Altogether, more than 10,000 trees - supplied by Bradford Council and the Forest of Bradford - have been planted.

The message is getting through - the children are proud to be helping preserve their local woodland.

"It is very important to plant trees - so you don't waste paper, and trees that are chopped down need to be replaced," says seven-year-old Leon Bird, who is planting with his pal Jack Schofield.

Shannon Gandy-Feeny, six, lives nearby and wants to come with her family to see the trees she helped to plant. "I want to watch the trees grow."

Her classmate Sinead Hallan, also six, agrees. "The woods are so pretty and we are making them prettier."

Retired primary school teacher David Bates now acts as educational liaison officer with the Friends of Judy Woods, a committee made up of local residents, members of local interest groups and representatives from Royds Community Association, Bradford Council and the Forest of Bradford.

"I think it is important that children understand that trees are an important part of the environment. It is great for them to get a feel for their local woodland - what we would like to develop is a sense of ownership, which would hopefully give youngsters pride in the woods, encourage them to care for the trees and hopefully reduce vandalism in the future. We would like everyone - adults and children - to feel that the woods are valuable."

While being the prime reason for these educational outings, the trees are not the only asset of this historic woodland to inspire learning. Knowledgeable members of the Friends of Judy Woods are on hand to talk about the rocks, stream, plants, birds and animals.

Deputy chairman Geoff Twentyman and his wife Mary, who acts as treasurer, are thrilled by the success of the sessions.

"There are many children who, despite living in this area, had not been to the woods," says Geoff, who is also a local historian. "They say they want to come back with their parents to explore. It is a way of introducing adults to the woods too."

Adds Mary: "A lot of children had no idea what to expect. A lot of them had never done anything like this before and they learned a lot.

"At this level the understanding is quite basic," says Sal Kerry, community environment programme manager with Royds Community Association, which supports the Friends of Judy Woods. "We are trying to relate it to science and citizenship. Hopefully, through learning about the woods, and helping to plant trees, they will grow to love the woods, and if they see anyone damaging them, they will do what they can to stop it.

"Children who have already been to take part in these sessions have returned with their families. Some children, who had never been before, spotted deer and brought their parents to see if they could see them again."

Friends Annaliese Simpson and Neve Nixon are clearly enjoying themselves among the trees. "We need to save trees," says seven-year-old Annalise. "There is a big tree in my grandma's garden. I love to climb it."

Neve, six, thinks for a moment. "If there were no trees, there would not be any wood, and we need wood."

Judy Woods Factfile

  • The woods cover 40 hectares of South Bradford - south of Woodside and north of Norwood Green.
  • You may not find Judy Woods' on a map. For most of its history, the woods have gone under other names including Old Hanna Wood, Low Wood and Royds Hall Great Wood.
  • Throughout history Judy Woods formed part of larger areas of woodland, again known by different names, including Wibsey Wood, Royds Hall Woods and Odsal or Wike Woods. It is thought that the whole area was once covered in trees, forming part of the vast Bryanscholes Forest that extended as far as, and included, Sherwood Forest.
  • The ancient woodland certainly dates back to the 18th century, and most likely well before that. In the 1841 publication History and Topography of Bradford, by John James, there is mention of the cultivation of land forming part of Wibsey Wood, which is likely to have included the area that is now known as Judy Woods.
  • The oldest trees now remaining in the woods are around 200 years old. Surprisingly, they are beech, which were fashionable trees to plant in the late 18th century when their wood was used for bobbins and shuttles for the textile industry. These trees are gradually being replaced with oak and birch, the usual species of tree found in woodland in this part of the country.
  • For more information on the Friends of Judy Woods, including walks and other special events, contact Mary and Geoff Twentyman on (01274) 673274 or visit judywoods.org.uk. Volunteers are always needed.
  • Judy Woods is owned by Bradford Council and managed by its parks and landscapes service. For management issues contact Richard Dunton on (01274) 434826