Forest of Bradford

Bradford District has a very low proportion of tree cover as compared to the rest of the UK. In 1991, the last time an assessment was done, only 4.6% of the district area was covered in trees, as opposed to the English average of 7.5%.

Although Bradford does have some ancient woodland sites, much of Bradford’s woodland was probably planted in the mid-nineteenth century. Previous to that, much was cleared for agriculture and industry. In terms of woodland types, as well as upland oak woodland, we have areas of beech and sycamore and some conifer plantations.

There are constraints to extending tree cover in Bradford, given that about 20% of the district is recognised and designated for nature conservation interest and round about a further 30% is developed and under concrete and housing. Most of the nature conservation sites are not woodland and are valuable habitats as they are. However, of the remaining 50% of the district there are opportunities for increasing tree cover. Research carried out by the South Yorkshire Community Forest illustrated that people found that a tree cover of around 6% gave them the impression of a pleasantly wooded landscape. If we aim for this target, we would have to plant about 480 ha of new woodland.

In addition to the potential for new woodland, there is a great deal of scope for better woodland management for multi-use throughout the district. Many of the woodlands are known and valued by local people, but there are others that are little appreciated. In the urban setting there are areas where there are some marvellous street trees and parks, but many areas remain treeless. There is a great deal of potential to improve the appearance of these areas and to build community involvement and pride in their environment by working on tree and green space schemes.

Our vision is to create a mosaic of woodlands, trees, other important habitats and green spaces in which the people of Bradford will live and work. Local people, community groups and businesses will participate in planning, planting, caring for and using their local trees. The greening and softening of the urban landscape will bring improvements in people’s health and feelings of well being and will encourage businesses to move to and stay in the district. The new woodlands will offer local people spaces for recreation, for being creative and using the arts, for education, for organising community events, for generating income and for a chance to escape from everyday life and reflect. By working together to develop the forest, people will gain confidence in the skills and knowledge already there in their communities.

The Forest of Bradford offers opportunities in Bradford District in terms of:
ENVIRONMENT
 An integrated approach to land use
 Promotion of local biodiversity through involvement with the district local biodiversity action planning team.
 Improvement in air quality through filtering of particulate pollutants and reduction in CO2 levels

COMMUNITY
 Building community cohesion – all sorts of groups have been and will be involved in planning, planting and managing woodlands, trees and green spaces and connected projects. Trees are offering a linking theme that everyone can identify with.
 Improvements in health – for individuals who get involved with the practical work on the ground and in terms of reductions in air pollution and stress levels
 Educational opportunities – with the development of accessible woodlands and green spaces and arts projects, there will be opportunities for learning for both children and adults.
 Opportunities for rural and farming communities
 Involving disadvantaged sections of the community. Working with BEAT,s Youthwood scheme focusing on disadvantaged young people. The regular Friday group involves adults with learning disabilities. The project is keen to see greater involvement from all sections of the community.
 Healthy food – by promoting the planting of fruit trees and community orchards, the Forest of Bradford is playing a role in the wide range of healthy food initiatives in the District
 Rehabilitation of offenders – by working with the Youth Offending Team and others, the project offers opportunities for offenders to reengage with communities in a practical and positive way
ECONOMY
 Engaging local businessses and enabling them to meet their needs in terms of corporate social and environmental responsibility
 Creating opportunities for training and jobs and diversification for rural businesses
 Publicity – a project like the Forest of Bradford projects a positive image of Bradford District, challenging its stereotypes of grim industrial landscapes
 Promoting economic development – by creating a greener and healthier urban environment, we hope to encourage businesses to establish themselves in the District. In addition, the creation of a sustainable wooded landscape in Bradford will create jobs in the management and use of woodlands.
IMPROVING LOCAL AND REGIONAL LINKS
 Improving links and partnership working between communities, voluntary organisations, businesses, local authority and government organisations.
 Improving regional links – in involvement with BTCV West Yorkshire, the White Rose Forest initiative and with SCOSPA

3 Background
Forest of Bradford is a project hosted by Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT); a charitable trust working toward a more sustainable environment within the district. The project started in 1998, when the BEAT Woodlands Group organised a meeting of council officers and other individuals and community groups concerned with woodlands in Bradford district. The participants at the meeting identified a need for more co-ordination on woodland activities in the district. As a result, the Woodlands Group decided to develop a longer-term project, and secured funding to employ a project manager for one year to develop the scheme.

The project now employs one member of staff to deliver the planting schemes across the district and develop training and practical projects with a wide range of local individuals, community groups, schools and businesses.The project manager is supported by eight BEAT directors, two of which are particually responsible for the project. Advice and support is also received from Bradford MDC Countryside Service, Forestry Commission, and the National Urban Forestry Unit.

The Forest of Bradford also has a core of 25 active regular volunteers, developing new schemes and ideas and around 250 people who help with planting and other activities on an occasional basis. For more details of the project’s track record, see our latest annual report in Appendix 1.