STUDENTS from Sedbergh School have begun planting 2,000 trees on farmland at Low Branthwaites at Frostrow.

The project is part of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s Together for Trees campaign.

It aims to get 100,000 trees planted over the next two years.

They joined landowners Anna and Darren Sheffield and staff from the trust in planting more than 200 trees on the first day of the project.

The new native woodland, including hazel, rowan, birch, holly, bird cherry and crab apple, will be planted over the next ten weeks to provide variety in the landscape and a new habitat for wildlife.

Students are undertaking the voluntary work as part of their John Muir Award, a national environmental scheme encouraging people to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places.

Carol Douglas, Woodland Officer at YDMT, said: “Through our ‘Together for Trees’ campaign we are working with many partners including the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and many volunteers with the aim of planting 100,000 additional trees across the region.

“Trees are hugely valuable as a habitat for wildlife - a single oak tree can support up to 284 species of insects – and support some of our most endangered woodland animals, like red squirrels, dormice and cuckoos.

“They are also important for our mental health and wellbeing and we believe that everyone should have access to trees. We work with disadvantaged groups such as young carers, homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom live with disabilities, mental illness and social isolation.

“The Together for Trees appeal aims to raise funds to create beautiful woodlands that everyone can enjoy for years to come.”

To support the Together for Trees campaign visit: www.together-for-trees.org