A Tree for Every Child is PKCT’s flagship education project and takes place between September – March each year.

The project aims to give children across Perth and Kinross the chance to learn about trees and how to care for them, and to directly take part in conservation action through tree planting. It also aims to support teachers and leaders, helping to provide the knowledge and confidence for successful tree planting and maintenance.

The project has two strands to achieve these aims:

1. A structured education programme, to be delivered across three sessions to up to five primary schools
2. Independent events, at which children are able to take part in tree planting

As well as providing every child with the chance to experience tree planting and to make connections with their local nature, this project has a direct impact on conservation. Planting native species helps to combat both climate change and biodiversity loss – trees lock up carbon and a diverse woodland provides numerous benefits to other wildlife, supporting greater biodiversity. This is before we even mention all the added benefits that trees provide, sometimes known as nature-based solutions, such as flood prevention, reducing soil erosion, and cooling the surrounding air temperature.  

Pupils from St Madoes Primary School take part in their planting session at Sidlaw Park, organised in partnership with PKC Greenspace, TreesPlus and St Madoes and Glencarse Biodiversity Village ©PKCT

The second year of A Tree for Every Child took place in 2023/2024. Overall, 560 trees have been planted across all planting events and sessions. Around 253 pupils have taken part in the formal education programme, and around 26 children have taken part in the standalone events. The project has been made possible through collaboration with the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees for Schools and Communities Scheme and support and funding from Scottish Forestry, PKCT and PKC Greenspace.

When combined with the Pilot Project, which took place 2022/2023, the total number of trees planted now stands at 1,166. 

Pupils from Glenlyon Primary School plant trees at The Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm, during a school planting event ©Jo Foo Wildlife Photography

Sign ups for the 2024/2025 school programme are now open, and if you would be interested in seeing if there is a tree planting event planned near you, please get in touch.

 To read the full 2023/2024 end of project report, click here