Eco committee got off to a great start this Spring term 2012, discussing as a team what their priorities for our school were. Take a look at some of their ideas below.

 

They have also been busy working on a special eco-centered presentation to give to the whole school during assembly. Check out the powerpoint slide show here.

Our script for our special assembly!

How we can celebrate the Queen's Jubilee and save the world!

This year our eco-committee's going green! We have put together a powerpoint presentation to show how trees can save the world. We need trees because they provide a habitat for animals, produce oxygen for the atmosphere, and protect the Earth.

Did you know?...

More than 80% of the Earth's natural forests have already been destroyed.

Up to 90% of West Africa's coastal rain forests have disappeared since 1900.

Brazil and Indonesia, which contain the world's two largest surviving areas of rainforest, are being stripped at an alarming rate by logging, fires, and land-clearing for farming and cattle-grazing.

The story of your tree

First, someone in the world puts a seed in the ground, then they put some soil over it, and every day they pour water over it (if it doesn't rain).

The seed germinates - first the seed sprouts a root and next, a shoot. The root grows down and the shoot grows up.

Your little tree sapling can grow to be as tall as a 2 storey building.

You will take home a set of instructions with your tree. Here are some facts about the trees you will be taking home.

The Oak tree

Oak trees are important for wildlife and the acorns attract small mammals like squirrels. An oak tree can live for over 700 years and is called 'the King of the Forest'.

The Rowan Tree

Rowan trees have strong wood that can be used to make fence posts and walking sticks. The red berries attract fruit-eating birds. Old stories about the Rowan tree say that it gives protection from evil spirits and so magicians often made their staffs from it.

The Wild Cherry

The cherry tree attracts bees and butterflies with its beautiful flowers. The fruit is an excellent food for birds. The stalks of cherries have been used to make medicine.

The Silver Birch

These trees have a white, papery bark and this is why they are called silver birch. It has catkins in the spring. The twigs can be tied together to make brooms and these are the ones traditionally flown by witches. In Victorian times 'the birch' was used in school to beat children!

The Crab Apple

The crab apple produces beautiful blossom and the apples are used to make crab apple jelly and wine.

 

To find out more about the Woodland Trust's Jubilee Plant a Tree scheme, click here to be taken to their website.