A project to plant more than 300 native trees in the grounds of Dalry School bore fruit this month, with pupils and project partners all helping out to get the trees planted.
This was a partnership between St John’s Town of Dalry Community Council, the Dalry Schools, the Queens Green Canopy initiative, and the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme.
A mixture of native species including oak, birch, hawthorn, birch, alder, crab apple and rowan were planted around the school site, with other areas designated for wildflowers. More than 25 pupils took part in the main planting day, with trees being planted through recent weeks.
Ross McFarlane, from Dalry Secondary School, said:
“This has been a great project for our learners to be a part of. It has provided an opportunity for them to get involved in an activity that will have a very positive impact upon their local environment and will form a lasting reminder of their time at the school. Thanks to all in the Dalry Community Council, Galloway Glens, Queens Green Canopy and South of Scotland Tree planting Scheme for their help in making this possible.”
Planting was done by pupils from the secondary and the primary schools. Teacher Mrs Devlin advised that the P3,4,5 kids loved participating in the tree planting project and are excited to nurture their woodland and watch it grow. The class told their teacher, “We learned all about how great trees are and how they produce oxygen from taking in CO2. I loved planting the saplings, it was great fun.” Another child commented “The trees will be habitats for lots of animals and birds when they grow.”
Morag Paterson, Vice-Chair of St John’s Town of Dalry Community Council, said:
“We’re extraordinarily excited to have been able to team up with partners including the school and Galloway Glens on this project and are very grateful to the South of Scotland Tree Planting Scheme for awarding us the grant.”
The trees were purchased using funding secured through the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme – this is just one of what is now more than 60 grants supported by the scheme across Dumfries & Galloway, with planting taking place from Langholm to Stranraer. It is planned that the scheme will fund the planting of more than 11,000 native trees in Dumfries & Galloway before April 2022. The Scheme is funded by a range of partners, including the Galloway Glens Scheme, Woodland Trust, Scottish Forestry, the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, the Region Wide Community Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise.
The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme is administered across Dumfries & Galloway by Jonathan Barrett from the Galloway Glens Scheme. Jonathan, who took part in tree planting on the site, said:
“With tree planting high on the agenda for addressing climate change the planting at Dalry School has been a landmark achievement for both the school and the local community. The enthusiasm and engagement of the pupils was wonderful to see, and the planting has been an enjoyable and productive experience for all involved.”
