London’s Deputy Mayor of Environment and Energy, Mete Coban joined Young Tree Champions (YTC) and principal programme sponsor, M&G plc on a visit to two adjacent schools near Heathrow, to celebrate the GLA’s expansion of The Tree Council’s fast developing national schools programme.
Thanks to GLA backing, The Tree Council’s YTC programme can now extend support to as many as 35 schools, planting more than 4,000 trees in areas that need it most, and engaging more than 1,200 young people, whether in primary, secondary, special or alternative provision.
London’s Deputy Mayor of Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said: “It was brilliant to join the Young Tree Champions today and see their passion for creating greener schools.
“Trees are essential for improving air quality, tackling the climate crisis, and creating habitats for wildlife so it’s great to be able to support even more schools as part of the Mayor’s Trees for London programme.
“Access to clean air is a social justice issue, so it’s vital we support schools like this, which are close to major roads and a busy airport. That’s why it’s so important we keep working closely with organisations, schools and councils to build a better, greener, fairer London for everyone.”
The Deputy Mayor was joined by Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, to meet with young people at Pinkwell Primary School, and be guided around the planting projects within school grounds, as part of its long running association with The Tree Council’s YTC programme.
The neighbouring Harlington Secondary School is joining forces with Pinkwell Primary. Both are close to the M4, and in the environs of one of the world’s busiest airports, making the life-giving benefits of trees – from visual screening to biodiversity boosts – all the more important.
Richard Pollard is Head of The Tree Council’s National Schools Programme. He said: “It’s amazing to see – thanks to the GLA and M&G plc – such a passion from Young Tree Champions to transform their school grounds into an exciting haven for nature, and to design spaces to learn and practise green skills that will help to create a healthy, sustainable future for them, their community and the planet.’’
As a YTC school, teachers and young people can engage in positive environmental and social action by improving their school grounds with trees, with training provided; learn how to care for young saplings; develop seed banks; acquire new skills, like GIS mapping; and be encouraged to develop the confidence to speak up for trees through novel engagements with outside learning.
Daiane Basco is Harlington School’s Curriculum Leader of Science, & Assistant Headteacher for Rewards. She said: “The students are very excited for a much greener playground area – in a couple of summers – and were so keen to show the planting to their peers.
“There was a whole school commotion about the trees!
“Students in all year groups were coming up to those involved, and asking them what was going on. The students were so proud to explain what the project was about and how it will benefit the school and their wellbeing.”
As well as meeting students at both schools, as part of the launch, the Deputy Mayor was taken on a tour of Pinkwell’s new woodland area. Here, he was able to make his own contribution by sowing a tree seed in the new seed bank, ready for it to grow into another sapling to enhance the learning environment for present and future students.
YTC’s principal partner, M&G plc has been instrumental in supporting the programme and helping it reach more than 700 schools across the UK, since launch in 2020.
Jane Rawnsley is M&G’s Group Head of Corporate Responsibility. She said: “We are delighted to be in our fifth year of supporting The Tree Council’s invaluable work in helping towards the greening of school communities across the UK.
“We know that the science shows children need to be in nature and the Young Tree Champions programme ensures children can do this while learning about the importance of nature and their role in protecting it.”
Young Tree Champions is The Tree Council’s national schools programme, helping young people feel connected to nature, supporting aspirations for green careers, and enhancing school grounds with biodiversity boosting trees and hedgerows. To find out more, and get involved, please visit www.youngtreechampions.org
