Burbage Valley tree planting – get involved!

Friday 4 March 2016

Sheffield City Council is asking people to help them with a project to create new woodland in the Burbage Valley, as restoration work continues in this environmentally sensitive area of the Peak District National Park.

Members of the public are invited to come along on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 March to help with the planting of 1000 native broadleaf trees, which will mature into woodland and will be enjoyed for many generations to come. Restoration of the site forms part of ongoing environmental improvements to the Burbage Valley.

As part of the Nature Improvement Area (NIA) project, a large section of unmanaged conifer plantation was removed in March 2015. The conifers which were planted in the 1970s had reached maturity and posed several dangers in the area, with trees falling over and a high risk of fires.

Restoration work is almost complete and the former plantation is now developing into a native carr woodland – reflecting the locally typical woodland found in the surrounding areas such as Padley Gorge including oak, rowan, birch and willow. The council are now looking for help from the community to carry out a small area of planting that will complete the project.

Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Sheffield City Council said: “I understand how important our countryside is to people in Sheffield and I share that love and desire to protect, maintain and in the case of Burbage improve what we have.

“We have worked closely with our partners to conserve the environment and associated wildlife and want our communities to get involved with the next step in restoring the landscape to the beautiful Burbage Valley.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to contribute to establishing our future woodlands, bringing long-term benefits to wildlife and improving public enjoyment of this much-loved irreplaceable landscape that’s right on our doorstep.”

Planting of the trees, which have been funded by Trees for Cities will be carried out with Sheffield City Council’s Ecology Unit and Woodlands Team, who will provide guidance and expert advice throughout the event.

Planting will be on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 March 2016 12 – 4pm. Places are limited due to health and safety restrictions and attendance is by booking only. All ages welcomed.

To book a place and receive further details, please contact: Angus Hunter at angus.hunter@sheffield.gov.uk or call 07855 225172.

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