A CONSERVATION charity has announced it has grants available for landowners wishing to create new native woodlands in the Yorkshire Dales.

Cash is available through the Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to support tree planting projects in the national park.

Projects that will be eligible for the grant funding will have to be accessible to the general public or be clearly visible from a public right of way. They must also significantly conserve, enhance or add to the natural heritage and be supported by the local community.

Carol Douglas, Woodland Officer at YDMT, said: “Planting trees brings significant benefits to the landscape, environment and native wildlife species, as well as offering long term income potential for landowners.

"As the winter tree planting season fast approaches, we are delighted to be able to provide the finances and the expertise to help make new woodland projects possible. I’m keen to hear from landowners across the region that may be interested in working with us to create new native woodlands of any size.”

The woodland grants are made possible thanks to support from The Fuelcard Company. Based in Knaresborough, they are one of the UK’s largest commercial fuel card resellers. They have supported the work of YDMT since 2011 as part of their commitment to the environment, and in that time have donated more than £750,000 to the charity.

Working in partnership with landowners, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission, YDMT has helped to plant around 1.3 million new native trees across the region since 1997.

Last winter saw the charity plant 42,000 native saplings to create 17 new woodlands covering a combined area of 86 acres.

Crummack Pasture near Austwick was the smallest of these new woodlands, covering just one acre. Despite its modest size, it still has the potential to make a big impact in Crummackdale – an area with very little woodland cover.

Over time the trees will absorb carbon dioxide and grow to support a range of native flora and fauna species, and the public footpath through the site will allow people to enjoy exploring the woodland as it develops.

Landowners wishing to find out more about the woodland creation grants and the support available should contact Carol Douglas at YDMT on carol.douglas@ydmt.org or call 015242 51002. The next closing date for funding applications is 5 December 2016, with other application windows to follow.