10000 Children - 10000 Trees - For You

It's November again, which for us is the most important time in the Andover Trees United calendar, that time of year when, thanks to your ongoing support and partnerships with local schools, we can continue our mission to provide a tree planting day for all Andover and Villages children. We can continue to show all our children and young people not only that caring for their environment matters, but that they can be the ones to help to make a difference.

We’re now into our second of three weeks of welcoming schools from across the Andover area to help plant the next chapter of the community woodland at Bury Hill Meadows. (There is a link below to the week one blog.) Every tree planted is part of a long-term legacy, helping young people connect with nature while building a healthier, greener future for everyone.

Here’s what just ONE day can achieve… Monday 17^th November, morning Session with Anton Junior School saw Year 3 pupils plant 110 trees, supported by:

• Students from Harrow Way
• Employees from Stannah
• Our amazing ATU volunteers

Those trees will absorb around 1,210kg of CO in their first year which is the same as: driving over 2,700 miles; charging around 160,000 smartphones and brewing more than 5,500 cups of coffee!

Fantastic teamwork from the pupils, who learned about planting, protecting young trees, and how woodlands help cool our planet.

The afternoon Session with Clatford CofE Primary saw Year 4 pupils plant a further 70 trees, helped by:

• Employees from Stannah
• Gary & Geoff from Anton Rotary
• Our brilliant ATU volunteers

These trees will absorb around 770kg of CO in the first year which is the equivalent of: driving over 1,700 miles and charging more than 100,000 phones!

A huge thank you to the schools, teachers, pupils, volunteers, Rotary members, Harrow Way students and Stannah employees who made the day such a success.

And just like that, Week 2 is underway!

More planting every day until the 28^th, by which time 1000 children and young people aged 6-18 from 25 schools and colleges will have planted 1500 trees, supported by their teachers, employees from 11 local businesses and the amazing volunteer team from Andover Trees United, who give so generously of their time.

WHY THIS MATTERS… its more than the trees

For primary-aged children, learning outdoors is incredibly powerful. They:

• develop practical conservation and gardening skills
• gain confidence working as a team
• experience the joy of learning outside the classroom
• contribute to a living woodland they can return to for years to come

We hope that you enjoy the photographs that show some of our young people in action, as well as some of the many other activities that have brought 100s of children back to their wood over the past 4 months:

• planting out the wildflowers that they helped to raise from seed
• enjoying nature activities during school holidays
• specially designed ‘Learning about Nature through Art’ sessions for Andover Young Carers

It goes without saying, that your ongoing support helps make all this possible. THANK YOU!

Links:

• Nature Nurture News - learning about nature through art
• Children return disappearing wildflowers to the landscape
• Tree planting week one