Recently at the Great Yorkshire Show, it was announced that the York Community Woodland had won the prestigious John Boddy Award for Forestry.

The York Community Woodland stretches over an 195 acre plot of land in the west of York and recently in February had its 85,000th tree be planted, marking a huge milestone for the young forest. This picturesque forest will not only provide a wonderful area for residents of York to have a relaxing stroll in, it also increases the biodiversity of the area and sustains threatened wildlife.

The idea for this woodland originally came from York’s previous Liberal Democrat administration as a sign of our commitment to combat climate change realise our net zero ambitions.

Councillor Paula Widdowson said “The new community woodland is a flagship scheme in our efforts to make York an even greener and cleaner city for generations to come.”

“As well as providing health and wellbeing benefits to the community, this woodland will create valuable habitats for wildlife and store carbon in the trees we grow.”

“This fantastic award is recognition for all the hard work done by volunteers, officers and everyone else who has helped to bring this project to fruition.”