St. Teresa’s Nursery in West Belfast has been awarded a gold award by the Woodland Trust for getting involved in green activities including tree planting, visiting a local woodland, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.
The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen more than 12,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008, offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.
Schools win awards for participating in green activities, which include tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. St. Teresa’s Nursery has planted new trees in their school grounds, visited local woods, reduced their carbon emissions and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.
Clare Evans, Principal from St. Teresa’s Nursery school said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, particularly during Catholic Schools week , we are truely ‘Living in Harmony With God’s Creation'
Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools and communities engagement manager, added:
“The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees. 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 and silver certificates and then an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award. I hope St. Teresa’s Nursery will now consider going for our next accolade, the prestigious platinum award.”
The Woodland Trust’s vision is to see a Country rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife. The charity is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, and protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.
The Green Tree Schools Award is free for schools to take part in, and the Woodland Trust is also offering free packs of trees to schools. Find out how your school can get involved at woodlandtrust.org.uk/schools
