Free trees for schools to help reach a million

Primary and secondary schools in Erewash and across Derbyshire are being offered a free tree in a mission to help plant at least a Million Trees across the county by 2030 to help tackle the effects of climate change.

Derbyshire County Council is leading the Million Trees project which is already over halfway towards the total.

Now it is inviting local schools to claim their free tree so it can be added to the Million Trees online map and totaliser when it is planted. The map and totaliser can be found at www.milliontrees.co.uk 

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “Tree planting is a great way to teach children and young people about the importance of nature and our natural environment. Not only do trees act like sponges to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere, they provide natural flood management, improve soil quality and increased wildlife habitats and biodiversity, and of course, being out and about among trees and nature improves our health and wellbeing, as well as the environment.”

She added: “Anyone who has planted a tree in Derbyshire since June 2021 can record it on the Million Trees website.  From single trees in back gardens to school yard orchards to community projects and large-scale plantings, it’s all adding up and helping to boost the environment and tackle the effects of climate change.”

Schools are being invited to register their interest in receiving a free tree on the county council’s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/treesforschools

The trees, which will be delivered in October/November, are being paid for by Vertas Derbyshire Limited, the county council’s cleaning and landscape maintenance contractor.

Rachel Shaw, Head of Facilities Management Services at Vertas Derbyshire Limited, said: "Vertas Derbyshire Limited is proud to support Derbyshire's Million Trees project by providing free trees to primary and secondary schools.

“This initiative contributes to Derbyshire County Council’s goal of planting at least a million trees by 2030 to combat climate change and educates young people about the crucial role trees play in our ecosystem.

“By participating, schools can enrich their environment and enhance biodiversity. We encourage schools to join this important mission and make a lasting impact on our planet."

Schools without sufficient space to plant a tree in their grounds can suggest an alternative public space in their community and any which aren’t claimed will be planted by the county council on the school’s behalf.

The Million Trees project is one of two major tree-planting initiatives being led by the county council.

Last year the county council got the go ahead from Government to create Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest along the eastern fringe of Derbyshire and through southern Derbyshire to join the National Forest.

Farmers and other landowners in the area can get Government funding for planting trees and hedgerow either on ground unsuitable for growing crops or to enhance ground used for food production such as by planting to provide shade and shelter for livestock, planting along waterways to reduce flood risk, or creating new areas of mixed woodland to enhance biodiversity.

Derbyshire Heartwood is one of 15 community forests across the country. To find out more visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/heartwood