The York Green Streets initiative aims to increase the tree canopy cover across York.
In 2022 York’s tree canopy cover was 10.8%. The council has a target to increase this to 13% by 2050. As part of this, the Council Plan contains a commitment to plant 4,000 new trees within York’s urban environment by 2028.
Trees bring numerous benefits including:
- absorbing and storing carbon, a key step on the road to zero carbon
- helping cities adapt to climate change impacts such as rising temperatures
- enhancing biodiversity and the protection of endangered species
- delivering health and wellbeing benefits to local people
- benefiting the economy by making places more attractive to live in and visit
In the first year of the initiative the council planted 2,500 trees across 13 sites, including 10 schools. Tree planting is fully funded by external grants that include aftercare to ensure the trees successfully establish.
The council aims to plant a further 1,600 trees in 2024/25, subject to grant funding, with a particular focus on street trees. Two new micro woods of 200 square metre each will also be planted to mark the coronation of King Charles.
York Green Streets tree planting has been supported by the White Rose Forest, the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire, with funding from the government’s Nature for Climate Fund.
For further information contact the York Green Streets Team.
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