THE FOREST of LEEDS - a summary of the first 5 years

Launched in September 1993, the Forest of Leeds Community Urban Forest initially focussed upon south Leeds covering approximately 231 square kilometres. This included some 600 hectares of existing woodland (equating to 3% of the land area), of which 450 hectares are owned by Leeds city Council.

Since its inception, the Forest of Leeds has been driven by a clear vision :

• to build a pleasant environment where people can work and play
• to manage existing woodland as a multi-functional resource
• to increase woodland and tree cover
• to transform derelict land into an attractive and valued landscape
• to encourage sustainable development and help create a new prosperity

Within the Forest of Leeds, tree and woodland cover is increasing. Existing woodlands, many of which were once neglected, are being effectively managed, with an emphasis upon providing woodlands with public access for informal and formal outdoor recreation, education and nature conservation.

Many woodland sites within the Forest of Leeds offer a range of facilities to cater for day and half-day visits by individuals and organised groups.

The development of the Leeds Tree Warden Scheme has provided local people with an opportunity to improve their local environment and embrace the Forest of Leeds as their very own community forest.

The expansion of the Forest of Leeds, in January 2000, to include the whole of the Leeds metropolitan district, substantially increased the forest area. This now stands at 552 square kilometres, with some 2600 ha of woodland, of which approximately 1130 ha are in Council ownership, along with 1.6 million non-woodland trees.