East Suffolk Students Initiate Quarter-Million Tree Planting Program

Students have initiated a program to plant 250,000 trees, aiming to increase the district’s canopy cover by 1%. As part of East Suffolk Council’s Tree and Hedgerow Strategy, pupils at Melton Primary School planted a young oak, one of the first trees to be established. Councillor Sally Noble, the Green cabinet member responsible for the environment, had nurtured the oak tree at home. Her motion to develop the strategy received full council backing in July. The council, in collaboration with the Woodland Trust, has also called upon landowners to help identify areas suitable for planting or for making improvements to enhance nature. Councillor Noble stated: “I’m delighted to have been joined by pupils at Melton Primary School in helping to kick-start our planting programme. I’m continually encouraged by children’s understanding of the environment and enthusiasm for enriching our natural surroundings.” She added: “Protecting trees is key to tackling biodiversity decline driven by climate change. We are working with residents, community groups and experts on developing a strategy to enable more trees to be planted across East Suffolk, while identifying priorities and requirements for the management of existing trees across the district.” The tree had initially been presented to the school to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and was cultivated by Noble until it was robust enough to be planted in a suitable space. Nicole Barr, volunteer co-ordinator and forest school lead for Melton Primary School, said: “We’re very grateful to Cllr Noble for looking after the tree and for returning to help plant it here.” She added: “The symbol of the school is an acorn and oak leaf, so it feels like an appropriate addition to our wooded area.” Earlier this year, East Suffolk Council passed a motion to declare a biodiversity and ecological emergency, having previously declared a climate emergency in 2019. The Tree and Hedgerow Strategy will operate in conjunction with Suffolk County Council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which is part of a nationwide effort to create space and connectivity for nature to thrive. Ben Green, external affairs officer at the Woodland Trust, commented: “We’re reaching out to the communities and landowners across East Suffolk to be part of an ambitious effort to plant more trees and create greener, thriving spaces for generations to come.” He added: “With the Woodland Trust’s financial support, expert guidance, and unwavering commitment, we’re here to help you make a lasting impact. Let’s work together to secure a greener, more resilient future for East Suffolk.”