When it comes to restoring degraded landscapes and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees help to combat climate change. As we work in the renewable energy sector, we wanted to extend our commitment to sustainability by looking to develop a tree planting project with a local school and charity.
The importance of trees
Trees play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our environment. They provide shelter to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, contribute to clean air, purify the water we consume, and actively combat climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
Tree planting initiative
With this in mind, JLER wanted to take this opportunity to further enhance our commitment to the environment by working with a local school – Pownall Hall School and charity Cheshire Wildlife Trust. We have agreed to donate 5 orchard fruit trees which will be planted within the grounds of the school.
In addition to this, we will aim to foster a long-term partnership with the school and continue to donate more orchard trees throughout the year.
Tree planting partnerships
We have partnered with Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Cheshire’s leading independent wildlife charity working across Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral for over 60 years.
They have over 25 years of experience providing curriculum-linked learning visits in school grounds. Cheshire Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK and with the invaluable support of volunteers and members they manage around 40 nature reserves. Their mission is to bring wildlife back – for everyone, everywhere.
In addition to the tree planting initiative, Cheshire Wildlife Trust will deliver a Wilder School Assembly as part of this project. The aim of this is to learn how to improve the biodiversity of school grounds as well as empowering the pupils of Pownall Hall School to be inspired and take meaningful action on the climate crisis.
Sustainable Tree Planting Project
Pownall Hall School is set in extensive and inspiring grounds. Set to the backdrop of their beautiful arts and crafts, grade 2* listed hall, their 8 beautiful acres of stunning grounds is located in the heart of Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The school uses its environment to inspire the children and there is a huge emphasis on outdoor learning. The school has a Forest School, vegetable plots and a pond to name but a few. These facilities are used daily by the children and staff to inspire, nurture and engage.
The school has a weekly Eco Club and the aim of it is to educate and empower the pupils to make positive decisions about the environment and to be inspired to create a greener, more sustainable world. JLER will work together with the Pownall Hall School and Cheshire Wildlife Trust to formulate a dedicated tree planting day where the Eco Club pupils will get involved with planting the trees in small teams.
Not only will the trees provide a valuable new teaching resource for the staff to use but the trees will also produce free fruit – apples, pears and plums, which the pupils can use as part of their wider learning objectives.
The school has suggested the children could even develop a charity initiative by selling the fruit to raise money for a chosen charity. Even the kitchen staff could benefit from using the fruit to bake some delicious pies and crumbles!
Benefits of tree planting
- Tree planting can improve public health
- It creates a sense of community by getting pupils involved
- Trees can improve mental health and increase pupils’ academic achievements as they learn facts about nature
- Tree planting can empower pupils and teachers to improve their surrounding environments
- Through hands-on tree planting initiatives pupils can gain experiential knowledge
Next steps
Once a date is agreed, pupils from the Eco Club, relevant teachers from Pownall Hall School as well as the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the JLER team will work collectively, in order for the tree planting to take place.
Commenting on JLER’s sustainable tree planting project, Managing Director, James Lindemann said: “What a fantastic initiative to be part of! It will be lovely to see Pownall Hall School pupils wanting to get involved in tree planting. They will be able to watch the seasons change and pick the fruit from the fruit trees. JLER is proud to inspire the next generation about sustainability and the importance of a greener, cleaner environment. We are so grateful that Cheshire Wildlife Trust has supported our aim. I look forward to seeing the trees planted soon.”
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