Pupils from a number of primary schools in Perth and Kinross have enjoyed several tree planting sessions delivered by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) recently.

The sessions are part of PKCT’s flagship education project, A Tree For Every Child, which takes place between September and March each year.

Pupils from Crieff Primary School celebrate planting their trees at Glenturret Estate © Ellis Gardiner

Now in its fourth 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. All the planting sessions were in school grounds or nearby greenspaces.

The outdoor learning programme also aims to support teachers and leaders by helping to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to plant trees successfully and maintain and nurture the young trees.

This year, five primary schools in the region are taking part in the initiative, which involves three dedicated workshops where pupils learn about trees and their importance, as well as how to plant and look after them. 

 

Pupils from Crieff Primary use hammers to secure the stakes © PKCT (left) and a pupil from the Community School of Auchterarder plants a tree along the Provost Walk © Jo Foo Wildlife Photography (right). 

A number of other one-off planting events were also organised at sites across Perth and Kinross for pupils from Crieff Primary School, the Perth and Kinross Duke of Edinburgh group, PKCT’s own Trustees and PKAVS.

Pupils from Goodlyburn Primary School celebrate planting fruit trees on their grounds (left) while pupils from Comrie Primary School have fun planting native species at Glenturret Estate (right) ©PKCT.

PKCT’s Discovery Learning and Engagement Officer, Catherine Leatherland, led the planting sessions as part of the wider outdoor learning programme. She said:

“We are delighted to have delivered the planting phase of this year’s A Tree For Every Child project. Overall, around 460 trees have been planted this season – most of which were native trees, with five fruit trees that were planted at Goodlyburn Primary School grounds - and 366 pupils have been involved in the programme.

After four years of this project, nearly 3350 trees have been planted and more than 1000 children have taken part in the sessions, which is something we are very proud of. 

Each planting relies on different schools, helpers and partners such as Perth and Kinross Council’s Greenspace team to succeed, and we would like to thank everyone for the hard work and effort that has gone into making that happen.”

Catherine continued:

“This project aims to give children the chance to plant trees and have a direct, positive impact on conservation while at the same time developing a greater understanding of trees and their importance, particularly within the context of climate change and biodiversity loss. 

 We want to give young people, teachers and helpers an opportunity to make connections with nature in their local area, and this project is a great way to achieve that.” 

Catherine demonstrates how to plant a tree © Jo Foo Wildlife Photography

You can find out more about A Tree For Every Child, and how to take part in future years of the project by heading to this page on our website, or emailing Catherine: [email protected]

Written by Clare McMicking for PKCT