The initiative outlines that every household in the borough will be within 500 metres of greenspace by 2050.
Created by the White Rose Forest Partnership at the beginning of this year, the plan was established to better connect towns and cities in North and West Yorkshire with woodlands. It has five objectives, some of which include increasing tree canopy cover in line with government targets and engaging more communities in plating and contact with green spaces.
Currently the plan is supported by over 30 organisations, including local and national government. One local authority who plays a big role in the scheme is Kirklees Council, who act as the ‘accountable body’.
During a meeting that is due to be held next week (July 8th), members of the council will be asked to greenlight plans for the next 25 years with an aim of achieving some of the scheme’s objectives – the big one being the government’s target to increase tree cover to 16.5% by 2050.
‘Together with the rest of the White Rose Forest partnership, we have already achieved so much,’ Cllr Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said. ‘During 2023/24 alone 794,000 trees were planted in the White Rose Forest across 175 different projects.
‘By 2050, we want everyone in Kirklees to be closer to high-quality greenspace and the latest plan from the White Rose Forest, named Community Forest of the Year in 2024, will help us get there.
‘As well as creating more spaces for nature and for people, trees and woodland are one of the most effective nature-based solutions for adapting to climate change. They are a potent carbon capture tool and a vital part of our mission to reach net zero by 2038.’
Photo by Joyce G via UnSplash
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