60,000 trees will be planted with 350 Greater Manchester primary schools over the next four years
City of Trees – the charitable organisation re-invigorating Greater Manchester’s landscape by planting a tree for every man, woman and child – has begun the process of planting 60,000 trees with 350 local primary schools.
With the help of 250 children and 50 staff children at St Charles RC Primary School in Swinton, the initiative was launched today with the help of Springwatch Unsprung presenter Lindsey Chapman.
This project is part of the DEFRA backed project to plant 1million trees with primary schools, across the UK by 2020.
Over the next four years Community Forest Trust organisations including The Mersey Forest, City of Trees and White Rose Forest will be planting 164,000 trees across the UK, aiming to engage with 1,000 schools.
Springwatch Unsprung presenter Lindsey Chapman says,
“It’s been a pleasure to meet the children and teachers at St Charles RC Primary today. It’s so important that young people engage with nature in a practical way and Trees for Learning is a great way to do just that. I look forward to seeing trees being planted in and around schools across the UK over the next few years.”
Hilary Wood, City of Trees, says,
“Reconnecting children with nature is a fantastic way of giving them a better understanding of the world around them. It gives us the chance to explore issues around health and wellbeing as well as considerations around climate change. City of Trees is proud to play its part in such an ambitious initiative.”
Working with primary schools as part of the programme, Community Forest Trust organisations will promote the opportunity to not only plant but learn about trees as part of the national curriculum and outdoor learning. Alongside design advice, the organisations will support with planting and ensure that plans are in place for long-term management of the trees and woods.
Future planting events provide great opportunities to connect children with nature, as well as talk about issues including health and climate change.
Picture caption : Trees for Learning programme at St Charles RC Primary School, Swinton. Lindsey Chapman, co-presenter Springwatch Unsprung , pictured with pupils L-R Aiden Akhtar, seven, Fallon Sloane , seven and Alfie Lacey, seven.
