Major effort to develop environment

The Howardian, Hambleton and Cleveland Hills have been chosen as the initial target area for the ambitious scheme by the Forestry Commission.

Grants worth £625,000 will be made available in the area over the next five years to encourage farmers and landowners to plant new native woodland links.

The area is rich in ancient semi-natural woodland, and linking them is expected to enhance the region's biodiversity, giving more robust habitats to many rare and endangered species.

The Commission's conservator for the region, Richard Britton, said the new scheme was important for the future of semi-natural woodlands and the many benefits they provided.

"By helping to reduce the isolation and fragmentation of these woods, Yorkshire's landscape and wild plants and animals will be protected and helped to survive in the long-term," he said.

"This project will also help strengthen existing local partnerships, such as the Yorwoods woodland revival initiative, and build on current interest in woodland expansion and management."

The scheme is part of a £5m nationwide project launched yesterday by England's forestry minister Elliot Morley to reverse the fragmentation of native woodlands and conserve threatened species of plants and animals.

"Through this challenge fund we hope to encourage people who own land between or alongside the ancient woods to establish links between them and thereby improve our ability to continue to enjoy them for many generations to come," he said.

Known as Jigsaw - Joining and Increasing Grant Scheme for Ancient Woodlands - it will be a challenge fund scheme in which applicants will bid for funds in a form of competitive tendering.

The successful bids will be those which are deemed to deliver the best value for money and best meet the objectives of the fund.

The closing date for bids is the end of next January. Judging will follow in April and the work must be carried out by March 2002