Eco-club Expands School Orchard for Biodiversity ( Published: 07/05/2024)

This was the first step in an ambitious plan to increase the size of the school orchard and plant a further hedge to increase the school’s biodiversity. The next set of trees will be planted after the completion of site work, which is to be carried out in the next school year.

The charity, City of Trees, advised our eco-club on where to plant the trees, conducted a site investigation using a CAT scanner, and helped to find the right species. They also kindly donated the trees and planting materials.

City of Trees aim to plant at least 3 million trees within 25 years – of which 1 million trees are to be planted by 2024, and a further 2 million by 2050 – to help Greater Manchester meet its CO2 reduction commitments. These stem from a national framework of policies which commit the UK to become a net zero emissions country by 2050 (Climate Change Act 2008).

Alisha, who was part of the student planting team, commented on her experience:

I usually help my parents in the garden but this opportunity helped me to learn a few new skills, such as binding a tree to a stump of wood with a nail and hammer so it wouldn’t fly away. This was quite unusual, but still quite enjoyable, and allowed me to feel the effects of trees on our mental health in real time.

I am glad that we were able to help the City of Trees charity get closer to their goal, and make our school that little bit greener and more sustainable. This will help to reduce our carbon footprint, encourage sustainability in our school, create a nice view and allow a variety of wildlife on our school grounds. It was nice to be a part of a project like this.

Following on from the planting, eco-club have now appointed tree carers to water the trees in the hotter summer months and students will receive training on pruning the trees in the long term.

All students are invited to join eco-club in the new school year as part of our rich extra-curricular offer.