Local school children help create greener Redbridge through council eco-project
Published: 26 April 2023
Redbridge Council’s popular School’s Tree Planting project saw more than 1300 local school children take part this year to help create a greener borough.
The eco-minded initiative gave students the opportunity to help plant nearly 100 trees across nine school sites in Redbridge.
As well as gaining hands-on experience in planting and caring for trees, the school children also learnt about the importance of trees and greenery in helping tackle climate change.
The project is part of efforts to increase tree coverage in Redbridge and supports the council’s wider tree planting programme which has already seen just over 6,000 trees planted in the borough before the end of spring.
The nine schools involved in Redbridge School’s Tree Planting project this year were:
- Mayespark Primary School
- Woodbridge High School
- Churchfields Junior School
- William Torbitt Primary School
- Cranbrook Primary School
- Ilford County High School
- South Park Primary School
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary
- Coppice Primary School
Children at Churchfields Junior School, in South Woodford were joined by Cllr Jo Blackman, Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride during their tree planting session.
Cllr Blackman said: “It’s great to see our local children so passionate about creating a greener borough. Our School’s Tree Planting initiative is a great example of how we can work with our children and young people to tackle climate change and empower them to play an active part in shaping a greener future.”
During the session, pupils learnt about the important environmental and health benefits trees bring, including helping clean up the air we breathe, provide shade and create natural habitats for wildlife.
Among the trees planted at the school were Apple, Plum and Pear trees to create and also expand existing orchards.
Year 5 student Idris, who took part in the planting session at the school, said: “I think it was fun to plant a tree – it makes me think about how nice it is that a small tree like that will grow into something really big. I think it was special too because the trees will be new habitats for insects and birds and help the ecosystem here.”
James Easter, Deputy Head Teacher at the school, added: “Everywhere looks better with more trees – so we immediately accepted the offer of Redbridge Council’s Schools Tree Planting project. The Council’s officers visited and helped to identify a space for 10 trees of around 3 metres each, beside the playground; it was just a plain grassy bank before. The day provided an opportunity for every child to help with planting and to learn about the numerous benefits of planting more trees.”
The Schools Tree Planting initiative is an extension of the Council’s on-going work with local communities to tackle the climate emergency, improve air quality and create a greener, and more biodiverse borough to live in. Find out more: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/climate-change/
Redbridge Council maintains 128 hectares of woodland in Redbridge, in addition to more than 40,000 trees on council sites across the borough.
For more information relating to the maintenance of council owned trees visit:
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/council-trees/
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/adopt-and-water-a-tree/
(END)
