Every tree makes a difference. When, back in 1997, staff and volunteers from Forest of Bradford (FoB) got together to plant trees across the district, no one could have envisaged what an impact they would make.

“One of the areas where you can really see the difference is Bolton Woods. That was the first FoB project and in the past couple of years it has really taken off.,” says project manager Ian Butterfield.

“The soil is not great and it took a long time to get established , but now most people will have registered that there is woodland growing on that site.”

“Earlier this month we were planting near Oakworth and were next door to woodland we planted in 2001. A group of walkers passed and asked who we were. They then told us how much they has enjoyed the woodland.”

The project is transforming the district’s landscape, and it is now helping to generate income for Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT), which oversees the project.

BEAT has been awarded a Transition Fund grant of up to £42,900 towards its Woodland Heritage Project. This cash, from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will allow BEAT to become more self-sufficient and generate income from new sources, such as heritage advice and consultancy, accredited training courses and a start-up wood fuel business.

All wood sold will be collected from the thousands of trees planted by the FoB, as they naturally need to be thinned throughout their lifespan. This means that the fuel on offer will be both locally sourced from the Bradford district and sustainable.

Jennifer Miles, finance manager at BEAT, says; “It’s a massive help at a time when we need to make this transition. In the past we’ve relied on grants, and we’ll still run grant-funded projects, but to secure our future sustainability, this is a necessity.

Adds Ian: “Some of the trees are now quite mature and can be thinned and harvested. This is just the right time to start a wood fuel business. We can use the resource from different sites, collect the wood and sell it for firewood. It is a really sustainable resource. We can also use wood from tress that have fallen naturally.”

With help from individuals, groups, schools and businesses, an average of 30,000 trees have been planted each winter. Last winter the project reached half a million trees planted, half way to its target of one million. There are now around 250 sites across the district planted up by FoB.

Formed in 1997 to promote environmental issues in the Bradford area, BEAT has conducted many successful initiatives including the HLF-funded Swartha Wood Project in Silsden - a community history project based around an ancient woodland. Running over two years, the project will try and establish how long the wood has been there and what it means to the industry and lives of residents.

Ian praises the many volunteers who help with the project. “They are crucial. Without them we would not do we set out to do. We would like to encourage more people to come forward to help.

“Those who come along want to spend time out in the countryside, enjoying the scenery and fresh air, while doing something that makes a difference.”

At present the project is involved on around 25 sites across the Bradford district, plus a number in Craven, around Gargrave and in Marsden near Huddersfield.

Planting schemes include woodland and hedgerows. “This year we are going to be planting around a kilometre of new hedgerow,” says Ian. This includes native hawthorn and blackthorn. “It includes trees and hedgerows in which wildlife can forage for food.

“The idea is to create little highways between the blocks of woodland, that birds and animals can move along. It acts as a refuge for them.”

Ian would like to find new sites for this year’s planting season. “It could be private landowners, farmers or schools which want land planting. We can help them to secure funding and carry out the work. We try and make it as close to zero cost as possible.”

Planting has to be of wide public benefit, and schemes do not include private gardens.

The funds will also help with training volunteers to use chain saws to cut wood. FOB also runs training in other aspects of woodland management including heritage skills such as coppicing, dry stone walling and green woodworking.

Anyone wanting to help with planting schemes, which take place on sites across the district, can do so on Saturday February 7, 21, March 7, 21 and 28. For more details visit beat.org.uk

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