Pupils from Great Barr School go green

Jun 6 2008 By Tony Collins

Pupils at Great Barr School have been doing their bit for the future of the planet by planting native British trees in their grounds.

The school, in Aldridge Road, Great Barr, has been handed 37 oak, silver birch and mountain ash trees to plant as part of a massive worldwide United Nations environment campaign.

The Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign aims to increase the global tree population by a cool one billion during the course of this year.

Planting took place on Birmingham’s Go Green Day on June 5, which formed part of the wider Birmingham Climate Change Festival.

Great Barr School was helped by garden care specialists Bayer Garden, based in Cambridge, who provided funding for the 37 trees and also lent a helping hand to plant them.

Andrew Williams, Great Barr School’s assistant head teacher, said: "We are a science college and have picked up awards for being an eco school and also just won a Basic 21 award.

"We received a £600 grant from Bayer and bought a number of native trees which are better for attracting wildlife.

"We will plant some on site here but donate the rest to our local primary schools and other community groups, such as the Perry Locks Nursing Home and the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust."

Scott Williams of Bayer Garden, who was accompanied by colleague Ruth Moss, said: "Bayer has joined up with the United Nations to plant one billion trees worldwide during 2008.

"Each territory has been given a certain amount of money to plant so many trees, with one place per territory, and that is Great Barr School for the West Midlands."n For more information about Plant for the Planet, visit www.unep. org/billiontreecampaign. More information on Bayer Garden is available from www. bayergarden.co.uk.