Green-fingered children from five schools in Buckfastleigh and Ashburton have been helping to extend a nationally-important native woodland on the Buckfast Abbey Estate. Pupils from Sands School, Ashburton Primary School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfastleigh Primary School and South Dartmoor Community College gathered all week at Pigeon Field, Pridhamsleigh, to plant saplings under the guidance of the Dartmoor National Park Authority. 'Children of all ages take to tree planting with enthusiasm' said Willem Montagne, the authority's education officer. 'This planting will help extend the existing woodland habitat and typical woodland species should re-colonise these new areas from nearby woodlands.' The site, home to a nationally important complex of western oak woodland, has benefited from more than 75 acres (30ha) of new planting in the last decade. Across Dartmoor 250 acres (100ha) of agricultural land have been planted with native woodland trees in the last five years as the authority aims towards a target of 370 acres (150ha) by 2010. The DNPA is keen to hear from other landowners who would consider woodland creation for which both financial and practical support is available. Contact Richard Knott on 01626 832093.