Schoolchildren pioneer new tree planting initiative
During the next 18 months, thousands of youngsters will be planting seeds, before germinating and nurturing the young saplings and returning to the countryside to plant them. Seven sites across the UK have already been earmarked in Cornwall, South Wales, Greater London, Leicestershire, Hull, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
But Woodland Trust project manager Paul Bunton, who is overseeing the Seeds-to-Trees’ pilot, believes it will now pave the way for hundreds more projects across the UK.
He said: “These schoolchildren will help create havens for thousands of species and vast woodland areas for future generations to enjoy. Not only will they have the excitement of seeing their trees germinate and grow, we hope they will be able to go and plant their saplings.
“The Woodland Trust believes every child should get the chance to plant trees and this pilot project will help pave the way for more and more to get their hands dirty and see at first hand how their efforts could transform our landscape.”
All participating schools will get off to flying start with donations of seeds to grow 32 oak saplings and 32 ash saplings, tags, course material and guidance notes prepared by the Woodland Trust. If all goes well, the scheme will be expanded even further next year.
The initiative is part of the Woodland Trust’s ground-breaking Tree for All project, which was launched in September 2004. It is the largest children’s tree planting initiative the UK has ever seen and will inspire today’s youngsters to become environmental custodians of the future.
Many of the first wave of schools selected has already highlighted their green credentials by clinching coveted, internationally-renowned Eco-school status. To find out more log on to www.eco-schools.org.uk
