“I just want to put something back”

Nature doesn’t care for spreadsheets, but tree planting still requires planning. Across South Yorkshire, new woodlands are taking root thanks to the efforts of the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership (SYWP) – a team working to make tree planting easier for landowners and farmers.

As highlighted in a recent article by journalist David Bocking, SYWP’s Matt North and Alex Evans are leading efforts to create 2,650 hectares of new woodland by 2050. That’s over 10 square miles! So far, they’ve helped plant over 200 acres of trees and hedgerows, with another 150 acres planned for next winter. These new forests will boost biodiversity, cool landscapes, reduce flood risks, and connect existing woodlands, allowing nature to thrive.

David visited a new woodland with the team recently for the piece in magazine It’s Looking A Bit Black Over Bill’s Mother’s. He discovered that for landowners, the process of planting trees can be overwhelming – ecological surveys, grant forms, permissions, and infrastructure considerations often stand in the way. That’s where SYWP steps in, helping landowners navigate the red tape so they can focus on creating lasting, natural legacies.

‘I’m a farmer not a bureaucrat. I just want to plant trees’

quote from ‘The Woodlanders’

One landowner near Wharncliffe, Sheffield, featured in Bocking’s article, has transformed former sheep pasture into a haven for wildlife, planting over 1,000 trees to link two ancient woodlands. With sheep gone, Matt says the the voles and mice will soon return, perfect hunting for the local barn owl population.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project has also boosted the local economy, creating ten new forestry jobs and bringing in £1.6 million in funding. As tree planting becomes a key part of future land management, SYWP continues to offer expertise and support.

Interested in planting trees on your land?

The current tree-planting season is coming to a close, but now is the time to plan for next winter. Contact woodlandenquiries@wildsheffield.com before August to get started.

Read David Bocking’s original article here: