WITH thousands of trees in the pipeline, you've always got to start with the first one!

Pupils at Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch, in Llanrhaeadr, have helped plant the first of thousands of trees that will be distributed across Denbighshire schools to tackle climate change and the nature emergency.

Approximately 9,000 trees will be planted at school sites throughout the county as part of a project to improve local biodiversity and increase carbon absorption.

Denbighshire County 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 at the beginning of 2022 across Denbighshire creating new woodland sites to help reduce carbon emissions and promote 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 Denbighshire.

READ MORE: Woodland site officially launched as old Ruthin school field

Making it possible for Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch pupils to help start off the project are council staff from climate change, biodiversity and countryside.

Over 2,000 trees will be planted at the school including fruit trees and edible hedgerow.

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

Other schools involved include: Ysgol Bro Famau; Ysgol Bodnant; Prestatyn High School; Ysgol Melyd; Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Clocaenog; Ysgol Esgob Morgan; Ysgol Dewi Sant and Ysgol Penmorfa.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Denbighshire's lead member for environment and transport, said: “It is fantastic to see such a major project get underway that will support and improve our local biodiversity.

"We are really pleased that the schools have got involved and more so that the pupils are helping us tackle climate change in the county.

“Thank you to Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch for launching the work stage of this project and I am really looking forward to hearing about the end result and the positive support it will bring to biodiversity around the school.”