Thousands of school children to participate in tree planting initiative
120,000 children across the UK will be pulling on their wellies and getting their hands dirty learning about trees thanks to a new partnership between Woodland Trust and education company Pearson.
The Seeds to Trees campaign will send 2,000 seed kits to primary schools all over the UK in March 2011 and a further 2,000 in 2012. The kits contain everything a class of 30 children will need to sow silver birch seeds and care for them before planting them out later in the year.
Clive Anderson, Woodland Trust President, said: 'As a parent myself, I recognise the importance of encouraging youngsters to take an interest in our native trees. The Woodland Trust’s partnership with Pearson is a great way of inspiring school children to look at and look after trees and woodlands. And by getting a Seeds to Trees kit they can enjoy first hand the simple, yet life-affirming act of growing a tree'.
In addition schools can download free education resources including an exclusive BBC Active interactive whiteboard poster to help children learn about the trees they are planting. Other resources will include literacy and science worksheets, quizzes and a tree planting certificate to reward the children’s work.
President of Pearson UK, Rod Bristow said: “It’s so important that children are educated on the vital role trees and woodland play in our environment. Pearson have pledged to be climate neutral, a goal we achieved in 2009. Our partnership with Woodland Trust reflects our ongoing work to be an environmentally conscious company.”
Pearson staff will also be getting muddy knees in the new year. They will be making a ‘treemendous’ effort, helping to plant trees at Heartwood Forest, St Albans, which will become the largest new native woodland in England. The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 4% native woodland cover, with the Woodland Trust aiming to double. this figure.
Sue Holden, Woodland Trust CEO said: 'As part of our More Trees, More Good campaign we need to plant 20 million trees every year for the next 50 years. By applying for a Seeds to Trees kit your school can directly help the Woodland Trust reach this goal. Not only that, but you will be helping young people learn about the wonder of our native trees'.
Schools will be able to sign up from January. If you would like to get your school involved, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/pearson
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Chris Hickman in the Woodland Trust Press Office, on 0845 293 5581 or 0845 293 5605, email: chrishickman@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
About Pearson:
Pearson UK is part of the global media and education group Pearson. Every day our books and learning tools help people around the world to grow their knowledge, develop their skills and realise their potential. In line with the quality of our brands, we add significant value to the books that we craft. From intelligent coaching of authors, through strong editorial development to innovative sales and marketing, we work closely with all of our authors and customers to develop more effective learning experiences and more dynamic working relationships.
With offices in over 30 countries, Pearson UK has built an international reach that enables us to provide the most comprehensive sales, marketing and distribution for the books we publish. We have the expertise to exploit the multiple sales channels and an increasing proportion of our business coming from new formats and markets.