Our goal
is to create a network of schools across the UK and world-wide, which are all actively involved with their local communities in planting new woodlands. We intend for this programme to become an educational and practical force for reforestation across the world.
WHY DO WE PLANT TREES WITH SCHOOLS?
Trees serve an important role for a healthy environment, cleaning our air and waterways; creating oxygen and providing shelter and food for all kinds of wildlife species. Yet since the 1930s, more than half of the UK's ancient woodland have been destroyed, and the country has been stated as being among the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
In the past 50 years, 60% of animal and plant species have declined. Many wildlife species are now endangered, with about a quarter of all UK mammals and nearly half of birds facing the risk of extinction.
The School Tree Nursery programme plays an important role in reforesting local communities, while teaching the next generations about sciences, ecology, the environment, climate change and the importance of the natural world. Not only do we need more native trees in our communities, but we need the future generations to value nature and become its avid protectors.
If you are hosting a Tree Nursery at your school, you can find more information here about the programme, what we provide, inspiration for activities and more!
What is a School Tree Nursery?
A Tree Nursery is an area set up within school grounds, where up to 50 tree saplings of various native tree species are planted and raised. The trees will stay in the nursery, where they are looked after, until they are big enough to be moved and replanted outside the school in the local community.
The children actively participate in the planting of the trees and help look after them in the 2 years following, until they are out-planted in the community. The children can help decide where they finally will be planted and make them part of the grand event!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The benefits are two-fold, as the programme is beneficial for the environment and children alike! The Tree Nursery is a practical programme for genuine wildlife aid by boosting our dwindling invertebrate populations, which support a wealth of other animal species higher up the food chain. For example, one oak tree harbours up to 400 insects! Also, the trees saplings are nurtured in the protective environment of the school until they are mature enough to be planted out in local degraded environments, such as neglected inner city areas.
Until then, the tree nursery serves as an opportunity for children to learn practical skills, learn about the natural world and have a lot of fun. Some of the skills that the children gain include:
How to use tools, such as spades and rakes
Listening to instructions on planting, asking questions
Wildlife identification; they learn to recognise certain trees, plants and insects, and handle small creatures such as snails and worms
Perseverance; often it is not easy for them, but with encouragement they see it through
Creative thinking; children given a taste of freedom come up with very imaginative and inspiring ideas as they plant the trees
Team work and sharing
Responsibility, to take care of a habitat and wildlife they come across
A feeling of working together for a good cause, a connection with each other and the land
““Thank you for donating 50 healthy and fine trees to our school. I hope when I’m older, I can be as dedicated to nature and life as your charity is.”
Laura – Cumnor CE Primary School, Oxford”
WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TREES?
Once the trees are large enough, which usually will take about 2 years of looking after in the nursery, they are to be planted elsewhere in the community. We want to plant new woodlands and green urban areas in local communities around the UK and beyond. Have a look at our Tree Map to see where we have planted trees up until now. So far, we have been part of the beginnings of about 200 woodlands in the UK just from trees that schools have helped looked after in their nursery!
Does this sound like something your school would like to be part of? If you are an educational facility looking to host a School Tree Nursery, you can show your interest by clicking on the ‘Register your school’ link below.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT US?
For just £350 you can sponsor a local school to create a nursery of 50 young native trees. We have a list of interested schools just waiting to be matched with sponsors, who are willing to support their project.
If you would like to sponsor one or several schools, or become our charity partner, then check out how by clicking on the ‘Support a Project’ link below. Looking forward to hearing from you!