Work with farmers and landowners to ensure that at least 70% of all woodland is in ‘active management’ by 2024, including positive management of conifer plantations to increase suitable habitat for red squirrels and black grouse.
“Active Management” – Includes all woodland that is in receipt of any national woodland grants, an approved felling licence, or is owned or managed by the Forestry Commission.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: Figures for 2022/23 still awaited. The most recent figures (March 2022) showed that 60% of woodland in the National Park was in active management, down from 65% in 2019.
Press Releases & related articles:
16 August 2021 – Kicking to see what’s alive: wildlife surveys carried out
Rationale: Good management of woodland improves biodiversity, makes it more robust, and reduces water run-off. Currently 5,750 ha (65%) of woodland is in active management. Achieving the objective would mean bringing a further 440 ha into management over the next 5 years.
Lead partner: Forestry Commission;
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Dales Woodland Forum; Natural England
Further information:
Cost over 5 years: £1,300,000
Funding shortfall: None
Related objectives: A1; C1; C2; C3; D2; D5; E9
Ecosystem services: Biodiversity; Water quality; Water flow; Soil erosion; Climate regulation; Timber provision; Energy
Trade-offs: Active management (which includes felling and restocking) can have short term impacts on Tranquility (A2), species (C2), water quality (C3), and natural flood management (D5). These impacts are assessed through local consultation applications of the UK Forestry Standard, and the Woodland Siting and Design Guide.
Baseline: 65% (5,750 ha) of woodland in the extended National Park is in active management (March 2018).