Planting trees is critical to help tackle climate change and nature loss, especially in the Yorkshire Dales where woodland cover is one of the lowest in England. One of the constraints on tree planting has been the availability of suitable saplings, especially species which are common in the Dales. Skills shortages in the forestry sector also make it hard to recruit for the specific skills needed for woodland creation. Little is being done to attract young people into the industry.

The Seed to Sapling project will help ensure the right trees are available to plant in the Dales by creating community nurseries where native saplings will be grown from local provenance seed. The project will provide seed collection and tree planting opportunities for hundreds of volunteers – empowering people from all kinds of backgrounds to take practical action for nature. Our young Woodland Trainees will also be involved, gaining new skills vital for a career in the woodland sector.