Local Labour MP, Tom Blenkinsop, is urging primary schools in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland to take part in a free tree scheme for schools.
The scheme, organised by the Woodland Trust, offers eligible schools extra help with planting to encourage them to make their school grounds and local communities greener.
Children can look forward to planting a copse or hedge, which can provide a wild harvest, or a burst of year round colour. Defra is now supporting The Woodland Trust to offer an additional 45,000 British native trees to 7000 state funded primary schools in England.
As well as free tree packs, for eligible schools, there’s help with finding somewhere else to plant if there isn’t room in school grounds; protection to help the trees grow; and on-line curriculum-linked resources to support teachers’ lesson plans.
Tom said:
“This great opportunity will help schools improve their local environment and enable children to learn about nature. Trees bring enormous benefits to our surroundings and I have written to local head teachers highlighting the scheme and to encourage as many primary schools as possible to try and get involved.”
Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of The Woodland Trust said:
“It’s vitally important children get the chance to plant a tree. We know from our research it’s a memory they’ll treasure for years to come, and often starts their relationship off with the natural world and all the benefits that brings.
“This scheme offers schools which have found it hard in the past, a new way to plant trees, and bring an oasis of green into their community.”
Schools can apply for a free tree pack by visiting the Woodland Trust website, or search ‘School tree packs’ on-line.
The closing date for applications is January 8th 2016.