Digging in mud and planting tiny tree saplings

Class 3 at St John with St Michael CE Primary School digging in mud and planting tiny tree saplings donated from the Woodlands Trust

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The children from class 3 at St John with St Michael CE Primary School in Shawforth spent the morning well wrapped up digging in mud and planting tiny tree saplings that they have had donated from the Woodlands Trust.

The Eco-School Council applied for these trees to enrich their environment and encourage people from the local area to come and help them plant them and also help to look after them during school holidays.

Class 3 were joined by parents, the head teacher and a professional gardener to help create the beginnings of a habitat area for local wildlife.

The trees they planted included Holly bushes, willow trees and also Rose Wood trees.

All these will hopefully flourish in the area they have been planted, as it is a wetland area of the school field and these particular trees grow big and strong in these conditions.

The Eco-School Council spoke to the rest of the school of the importance of trees, they provide oxygen, lock up harmful carbon, trap pollution and provide habitats for wildlife and mini beasts.

It is wonderful that the Woodlands Trust provides opportunities for schools and communities to help enrich their environment. The Woodland Trust Charity is hoping to double its native woodland area over the next few years.

Miss Kenyon, Eco-School Council Co-coordinator said: "Myself and Mrs Driver, who helps me run the Eco-School Council, have really looked forward to these tiny trees coming.

“We had sent off for digging equipment by saving a local supermarkets vouchers which we exchanged for forks, a spade and some gardening gloves.

“It is really nice to see parents and members of our wider community coming along to help the children with their planting.

“I would like to say thank you to all those people who have made our planting morning a success."