The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is asking people in York, North Yorkshire, to support a new effort to save local forests from what they call an ecological collapse. The Woodlands for the Future appeal was created to raise money and find volunteers to restore woodland habitats that are currently at risk from disease and changing weather. Experts at the trust warn that without this intervention, these natural spaces could fall silent within 50 years.
Residents can help the project by donating money for specific conservation tasks, such as £25 to grow 20 tree saplings or £250 to help older trees become better homes for bats and owls. The charity looks after about 700 hectares of woods across more than 100 nature reserves, including the Moorlands Nature Reserve near York. A major restoration drive is being organised for this coming autumn to plant new trees and improve the health of existing ones.
This project is also a key part of the plan to help the City of York Council reach its target of having 13 per cent of the city covered by trees by 2050. Better woodlands will help protect the local community from flooding by using deep roots to soak up water and manage runoff during heavy rain. Local people can join more than 1,000 volunteers through the #TeamWilder movement to help with tasks like clearing away invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
