Green-fingered pupils at an Aberdeen school have cultivated their skills as part of an environmental campaign.
Seaton Primary has branched out into the school’s garden to plant 120 trees, boosted by sponsorship from Sparrows Group.
The 26 students, from P6, took part in the firm’s commitment to plant 350 trees in the north-east by 2021.
The horticultural venture is being managed by Carbon Footprint Ltd and the children helped to bed in 120 tree seedlings within the school’s grounds.
Sparrows has already been instrumental in having 125 trees planted by students at Aberdeen’s International School and Knockando Primary in Aberlour, Moray.
Ashley Verling, head teacher of Seaton primary, said: “This initiative has sparked great conversations about climate change for our students.
“We have been able to talk about social responsibility in a fun and educational way where they can understand the carbon-fighting capacity which trees and plants have, and the importance of nurturing the planet and growing more.
“We are very grateful to Sparrows and Carbon Footprint for choosing us to be part of this project and we look forward to watching the trees grow in the coming years.”
Carbon Footprint, which supports businesses with their environmental and carbon management plans, ensures that all the trees are native broad leaf species such as hawthorn, downy birch and wild cherry, so they can preserve the UK’s environment and biodiversity by providing wildlife habitats and enhancing the natural landscape.
The organisation also operates a “tree buddy” system which means that, for every tree planted in the UK, it works with the Brazilian Amazon Verified Carbon Standard Reduced Emissions Deforestation and Degradation project to protect trees in the rainforest to guarantee carbon offsetting.
Sparrows chief executive Stewart Mitchell said: “With carbon emissions high on the news agenda, Sparrows is committed to playing its part.
“This tree-planting programme through Carbon Footprint supports this and plays an important role to ensuring that our CO2 emissions are offset.
“At the same time, the scheme is helping to have a positive impact on the next generation and their environmental education.”
The location for the remaining 105 trees will be decided in the coming months.
