Tree Planting with Woodland Trust
One single oak tree can support up to 500 different species of wildlife
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading non-profit woodland conservation charity. They promote woodland conservation and believe that the remaining 2% of ancient woodland - that has been around since the ice age - should be preserved for future generations to come. They lobby and campaign to give protective rights to the last endangered natural landscapes.
Woodland Trust members also believe that every child in the UK should have the opportunity to plant a tree. Engaging in nature activities such as tree planting at an early age can assist in creating more environmentally conscious adults in the future. When a child plants a tree they instantly develop a connection to the land knowing that they have made a positive difference to the environment in which they live in. Planting a tree is a rewarding and educational experience for anyone and everyone to engage in.
The Woodland Trust offers free tree packs to school and communities to promote tree planting to create greener spaces. Their new campaign 'Street Trees' is also aimed to get more trees planted in urban environments, to help create cleaner air in cities.
Tree planting is an environmental activity that every child in the UK can have the opportunity to take part in. It's a hands on activity that they will remember and a positive way to learn about nature.
A school tree planting project can be an inspiring activity to help to teach children the importance and value of the natural world around them. Although many of us today are living in urban environments, it's important to engage and connect to the natural world. Spending more time in nature is proving to be supportive to mental and physical health, offering positive health benefits.
More trees will help to increase wildlife in the area, providing a habitat for birds, mammals and insects.
Woods and trees can be used to teach many subjects in the school curriculum and also provide outdoor learning areas, creating an exciting playground for the future, becoming a classroom without walls.
Planting more trees means that there will be fresher and cleaner air to breathe for future generations.
Benefits of Trees
Produce oxygen and reduce pollution
Provide Habitat for Wildlife
Offer shade on hot days
Maintain soil nutrients
Help to reduce flooding
The children at William Shrewsbury Primary School in Staffordshire have taken part in tree planting initiatives through the Woodland Trust and have become dedicated when it comes to planting trees. They have planted more than 350 trees in the last ten years with the children at the school. Creating hedges and copses to totally transform their once bare school grounds near Burton.
Lots of free supporting resources, including the Green Tree Schools Award, can be found at: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools
The Woodland Trust offers packs of trees with various mixes of trees to suits everyones needs. Choose from smaller packs (30 saplings) Medium (105 saplings) Large (420 saplings)
All saplings are native UK grown and supplied. 20-40cm high - the perfect size for establishing quickly.
All packs come with full planting instructions, a free downloadable curriculum and linked resources
Providing tree protection to help them establish more successfully
If you don't have room in your own school grounds the Woodland Trust can help find land in your community where you can plant trees to make a difference
The Woodland Trust can advise on which pack to choose and guidance with the planting process
Take a look at the Woodland Trust website and check out the details on how to order a free tree pack.
More trees means a better life.