Planting day at The Royal High School, Edinburgh
April 2018
The Royal High School in Edinburgh was visited by representatives of the Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) to help plant trees in the school grounds. Pupils, staff and representatives of SQA helped to plant the saplings to create wildlife habitats and encourage biodiversity. The trees are all native British species all grown in Scotland from collected seed and included Goat Willow, Grey Willow, Guelder Rose, Alder, Crab Apple and Downy Birch.
“It's been a great day. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to come and give something back to the community and do something for the environment” - Allan Dunbar, Health & Safety and Environmental Officer, SQA
These new saplings will provide a perfect habitat for wildlife, promoting biodiversity and preserving the natural environment. The children gained hands-on experience of how trees are planted and will learn how important trees are to the world in which we live.
SQA has teamed up with Carbon Footprint as part of their carbon management programme and with Tree Appeal, planting native broadleaf trees in schools. SQA is sponsoring the planting of more than 200 trees at The Royal High School, demonstrating their commitment to environmental education and their aim of reducing their impact on the natural world.
The school is currently in the process of developing an area of the school grounds as an ‘outdoor classroom’ to enhance the learning environment and opportunities. The aim of this particular planting was to screen a section of old metal fencing to improve the visual aspect and to provide the usual environmental benefits of introducing trees.