A woodland strategy has been drafted to benefit communities across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The document, which maps a green vision for the next 15 years, sees a central role for trees in helping to deal with the effects of a warmer and wetter climate. It also urges greater use of wood to replace fossil fuels and stresses how trees can help in flood management, as well as the creation of new woodland in the most densely populated areas.
Woodland cover in the region is below the national average of 5.8%, with woods concentrated in less populated areas.
The strategy, just released for consultation, has been drawn up by a forum comprising the Forestry Commission, government office, local authorities, English Nature, National Trust, landowners, forest industry organisations, plus wildlife and conservation bodies.
Once agreed, the document will then be turned into an action plan to be published in 2005.
