Green-fingered young environmentalists at a North Yorkshire secondary school have planted more than 3,000 hedgerow trees and shrubs and created new flower beds and wildflower areas to help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
The headteacher of Ripon Grammar School, Jonathan Webb, who is also a keen gardener, said he was delighted to have such “willing and enthusiastic” students who feel so passionately about nature and the environment helping develop areas throughout the school’s 23-acre site.
The tree planting coincides with an event organised by ourselves and the University of Leeds where headteachers and senior leaders from more than 30 schools across the county gathered to discuss the environment and pinpoint changes they would make in their own school communities for a greener future.
Held at Allerton Waste Recovery Park, school staff worked with representatives from ourselves, National Nature Park, the Let’s Go Zero campaign, which is aimed at helping thousands of the schools in the country reach zero carbon by 2030, and climate ambassadors to inspire sustainable living and how their schools can reduce their carbon footprint.
Executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, said: “Given issues with climate will affect us all, it is vital that young people are engaged in environmental issues and feel empowered and involved about the positive future of our planet.
“It’s very encouraging to see schools taking the lead and it’s truly impressive to see what children, staff and the wider communities in North Yorkshire have been doing to help reduce their own carbon footprints and support their local environment.”
A range of activities were held during the event which included an introduction to Count Your Carbon, a free carbon emissions calculator to use for nurseries, schools and colleges. It supports educational settings to calculate, understand, reduce and track their carbon emissions.
During the climate action planning workshops, teaching staff were able to witness the educational resources and enjoy a tour of the state-of-the-art waste treatment technology to see what happens to rubbish put into their school bins. The North Yorkshire Rotters, a group of volunteers who inspire people to change their waste habits, encouraged attendees to reduce food waste and make smoothies by pedalling a “smoothie bike”.
Our climate change member champion, Cllr David Hugill, said: “Education plays a crucial role in tackling climate change. Pupils will grow up thinking about the effect they have on the environment and making greener choices.
“Events like this not only bring together school leaders but provide guidance to support climate action planning and inspire goals for making the best use of the school grounds and activities for embedding sustainability.”
In addition to planting trees, pupils at Ripon Grammar School have introduced a number of green initiatives to raise awareness of environmental issues and help reduce the school’s carbon emissions.
Headteacher Mr Webb said: “Trees help to remove greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide from the air, which reduces the effects of global warming. We are promoting the bio-diversity of the school site through the provision of much-needed wildlife habitat and corridors while also educating our young people about the ecological and cultural value of hedgerows.”
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, added: “Education empowers all people, but especially motivates the young to take action. Whether through reducing energy consumption, promoting sustainable food choices or introducing climate-focussed projects, schools can play a key role and it’s great to see the good work being done here in North Yorkshire so far to address this global challenge.”
We will be holding a follow-up online event on Tuesday, 1 April, for school staff who were unable to attend. Anyone interested is asked to book the session online by emailing schoolimprovementservice@northyorks.gov.uk