THOUSANDS of trees will be planted at Denbighshire schools this winter to tackle climate change.

Approximately 9,000 trees will be distributed across schools throughout the county as part of Denbighshire County Council’s commitment to tackle climate and ecological changes.

The council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and more Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

Nearly 5,000 new trees were planted early this year across Denbighshire creating new woodland areas to help reduce carbon emissions and nature’s recovery.

These were in addition to the planting of over 18,000 across the county as part of the council’s corporate plan 2017-22 focus on the preservation of the natural environment and also the maintaining and enhancing of biodiversity within the county.

Council staff from climate change, biodiversity and countryside teams are involved with rolling out the school tree planting project.

They are also working with the schools to enhance current existing grounds to add interest for children and wildlife whilst still ensuring space for recreational play is preserved.

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The plans include tree planting and hedgerow creation to enhance existing tree cover and create better connected and more diverse spaces, as well as creating wildflower meadow areas to improve grassland biodiversity and help nature’s recover.

Many of the schools now take part in the Forest School initiative and areas with enhanced tree cover will be created for the children to carry out these activities in an actual ‘forest’ along with species of interest being specially selected for fruits to harvest for children and wildlife to enjoy.

Schools involved at this stage include: Ysgol Bro Famau, Ysgol Bodnant, Prestatyn High School, Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch, Ysgol Melyd, Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Clocaenog, Ysgol Esgob Morgan, Ysgol Dewi Sant, Y Rhyl and Ysgol Penmorfa.

Planting work is expected to start in the new year.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Denbighshire lead member for environment and transport, said: “This is a fantastic project which will really help our younger generation embrace the knowledge of what it takes and needs to tackle climate change locally and further afield.

“We are really grateful for all the schools taking this big step forward to help us all tackle climate change locally and also improve our local environment.

"It is important we do everything we can to make sure the next generation is not saddled with our climate problems of today and I am looking forward to seeing this project get underway.”