Green Tree Gold Award
Park Community Primary School, in Boston has been awarded a gold award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities including tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen over 2,500 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008 offers schools the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, the wonderful world of wildlife and green issues into the classroom. The scheme rewards schools every time they participate in inspirational learning events, projects or initiatives provided by the Woodland Trust. Schools win awards for participating in green activities, which include tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. Park School has planted new trees in their school grounds and the children have grown trees from seeds, as well as recycling Christmas cards, visiting woods, reducing their carbon emissions and joining in various other Woodland Trust activities. Karen Letten, schools development officer, said: “The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in nature. The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities. As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze, silver and finally an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award.” To take part schools simply register at www.naturedetectives.org.uk/award and can start earning points immediately. These are a few of the many different ways to do this: Karen continues: “This is pick ‘n’ mix conservation. Teachers and children choose from a range of activities to suit their interest and priorities at any given moment. “Schools embark on a real journey of discovery with us and, along the way, will also be working toward achieving other recognised environmental awards such as Eco Schools.” The Woodland Trust’s learning team provides a range of resources for both primary and secondary schools. Most activities are available free of charge and further details can be found at www.naturedetectives.org.uk The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland. 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. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk Green Awards help children grow
Park Community Primary School wins Gold for Lincolnshire