Marsden Moor: First of 300,000 trees planted to reduce flooding

Landscapes for Water was officially launched at a community planting day on Friday

A major project to restore the South Pennines has been officially launched with a tree planting event.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and others braved the snow on Friday to plant the first of 300,000 trees on Marsden Moor.

The planned 350 hectares (3.5km2) of woodland should slow flooding, reduce wildfires and create wildlife habitats.

The £7m conservation programme, Landscapes for Water, is set to take place over the next five years.

Officials from Yorkshire Water, the National Trust and White Rose Forest Programme took part in the planting of two-year-old bare-root saplings.

Moss planting, to restore the moors, and the installation of 3,500 leaky dams will also be rolled out across five main areas of the South Pennines, on National Trust and Yorkshire Water land.

"With recent storms and floods, we've seen the devastating effects of climate change first hand, and it's vital we act now to reduce carbon emissions and protect our homes and businesses," Ms Brabin said.

The woodland will help slow flooding and provide a habitat for wildlife

Yorkshire Water's chief executive, Nicola Shaw, added that the woodland would have a range of benefits, such as slowing the flow of water and capturing carbon.

"The landscape around Marsden will become a thriving environment," she said.

In 2023, several wildfires broke out on Marsden Moor, which killed native wildlife and destroyed habitats.

By slowing the water flow on the moors to keep it where it's needed, the project officials believe that wildfires are less likely to spread due to the boggy moorland.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has contributed £1.9m to the programme's plans for natural flood management.

The White Rose Forest, via their Trees for Climate programme, has put more than £1m towards the tree planting.