STUDENTS from Teign School successfully planted 105 saplings in Stover Woodlands on land owned by Kingsteignton-based company, Sibelco.

This was the first stage of the planned planting of 1,016 trees, representing one tree for every student at Teign School, as part of a close partnership between the school and Sibelco.

The event was well supported with more than 30 people attending, including students, their families and members of school staff.

Jamie Heron, estates sustainability officer for Sibelco UK, was on site to assist and gave a demonstration on how and where to plant the trees, which included silver birch, hawthorn, blackthorn, oak and rowan trees.

The event was organised by Teign School’s ‘Teign is Green’ environmental group, in response to an invitation from Kingsteignton Town Council to plant trees as part of the council’s wider green strategy to increase tree cover.

Why plant trees?

Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and cause global temperatures to rise. As trees absorb and store carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, planting trees is widely held to be one of the most effective and also cheapest ways of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Suzannah Wharf, headteacher of Teign School, said: ‘I am so proud that our students are taking positive action to support the climate emergency and are committed to giving their own time to plant a new forest for future generations to enjoy.

‘Supporting one another and being the centre of the community are two aspects of our values and ethos that our students and staff are demonstrating through their actions.

‘I would like to thank the staff, particularly Ms Akana, for encouraging and facilitating this day along with Sibelco for giving us the opportunity to plant these trees.

‘I am humbled by the strength of our students, the values they have and the care they are showing for those around them. A huge well done!’

Jamie Heron, estates sustainability officer at Sibelco UK, thanked the school.

‘Sibelco are very grateful for this and see it as a great way to increase species diversity within the wood, as well as contributing to our ongoing obligation to plant more trees.’

Catriona Akana, leader of the ‘Teign is Green’ environmental club, added: ‘Planting trees is widely recognised as one of the best ways of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to help in the fight against global warming.

‘It’s also very do-able, as today’s event proves. Sometimes we can all feel a bit helpless when we hear about extreme weather events and disasters associated with climate change, but this is something that absolutely everyone can do to help, and it’s a really practical way of realising that actually we all can make a difference.

‘This modest start today gives us a glimpse into the future, of these saplings grown into strong healthy trees, and our students here today, responsible citizens, well-equipped with valuable skills and knowledge for their futures.’

Year 7 student Olivia said: ‘We went to Stover Park with the aim of planting 100 trees within three hours, however, we smashed that target and got it finished within an hour.

‘We all had a great time whilst helping our earth.’

Teign is Green members plan to visit the site regularly to check on the welfare of the saplings. The next planting day is planned for November 2022, with subsequent planting then taking place regularly every six months.

For more information on these and other events organised by ‘Teign is Green’, please contact Cat Akana via her school email [email protected]