| South Yorkshire Forest | The South Yorkshire Forest is a mix of open spaces, woodland, wetlands, farmland, meadows and urban areas, industry and housing. It covers 200 square miles in Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. 550,000 people live within the boundary of the South Yorkshire Forest and a further 1.9 million live within 20 kilometres of the Forest. 7.8% of the land in the South Yorkshire Forest area is derelict or neglected as a result of mineral extraction. Tree planting and other environmental improvement initiatives can turn ugly land into attractive and useful landscapes. |
The former council refuse tip at Beighton near Sheffield is home to thousands of tons of household waste. Now, thanks to a community tree-planting scheme it’s looking greener than ever and will soon be back in use - this time as 'Linley Bank Meadow' nature reserve.  | | Beighton tip is no more |
Hundreds of people, including families and cub scout groups, planted six hundred trees were planted on Beighton's former landfill site in January. Literally dozens of people went along in their wellies and - despite the mud - made it a day to remember. The scheme is known as the 'Gift That Grows' and was organised by the South Yorkshire Forest and Sheffield City Council. People, community groups and businesses sponsor a tree to be planted, and many people signed up to the scheme after hearing about it through the CSV Action Desk at BBC Radio Sheffield.  | | Planting trees to mark a special day |
:: If you'd like to get involved in planting trees as part of the Gift That Grows scheme, call the CSV Action Desk at BBC Radio Sheffield on 0114 267 5444, or email actiondesk.sheffield@bbc.co.uk Eight-month-old Pheobe Tuttles was having a tree planted to mark her christening. Her mum said, "We plan to keep coming back to watch the tree grow, as little Pheobe grows." The Beighton site is subject to a major programme of regeneration work over the next few years that will transform it into a beautiful nature reserve and public green space.  | | People stake their young trees |
Chris Smith, a Sheffield City Council Rangers, said: "We want it to be a place where people will come and enjoy it as a new nature reserve and take pleasure from it." :: If you'd like to get involved in planting trees as part of the Gift That Grows scheme, call the CSV Action Desk at BBC Radio Sheffield on 0114 267 5444, or email actiondesk.sheffield@bbc.co.uk | 
