Pupils at Oatlands Junior School in Harrogate have planted 420 new tree saplings in the grounds of their school.
A mix of Rowan, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Silver Birch, British Oak and Hazel samplings were donated by the Woodland Trust.
The hope is to encourage wildlife back to the area by rewilding some of the school grounds.
Children and staff are restoring some of the land to how it would have been prior to a school being built by reintroducing trees and bushes.
It will help to reduce CO2 and increase O2 levels, as well as inviting more birds and insects into the school environment.
Teacher at Oatlands Junior School and co-ordinator of this project, Mr Chris Gray, said:
“The children have had so much fun today out in the fresh air.
“It’s encouraging to see them take a real interest in environmental issues and doing something proactive towards a more sustainable future.
“Whilst these children will have left our school by the time these saplings have grown into the planned hedgerow, they will have a chance to return over the years, be it coming to our summer fair, with their own children or perhaps some will become teachers and choose to work here, just as I did!
“We are building a legacy that will benefit our community for generations.”
Oatlands Junior School is part of Red Kite Learning Trust, a multi academy trust of 14 schools in North and West Yorkshire.
This initiative is just one of the many projects being implemented across its schools.
CEO of Red Kite Learning Trust, Mr Richard Sheriff, joined the children to plant a tree.
He said:
“Our Sustainability Board brings together colleagues from each of our schools to discuss our environmental impact and how we can improve this.
“They work closely with our Youth Board and school eco-committees who continually look at ways we can be more sustainable and kinder to the environment.
“We actively encourage our schools to support young people to make decisions and implement change, giving them a sense of agency and fostering an understanding of the natural world and our place within it.
“The children of Oatlands Junior School should be very proud of what they have achieved today.”
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