Local schools urged to branch out for Tree Day

PRIMARY schools on the Northside are being urged to get involved in an initiative this week that aims to support the environment.  

The Tree Council of Ireland, supported by Tetra Pak, is encouraging schools to get involved in Tetra Pak Tree Day and plant a tree on Thursday, October 3. 

The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Be Planet Positive!’ with a focus on the things that primary school children can easily do in their everyday lives to help nature and the environment.

The event is an important date in the school calendar, giving children, teachers and parents the opportunity to put down the schoolbooks, get outdoors and learn to become more environmentally aware. 

The campaign’s mascot, Sammy Squirrel, will feature on Avonmore school milk cartons and share seven simple messages on how to make better choices and be planet positive.

As part of  Tree Day, up to 1,000 native tree saplings will be made available through the campaign website for primary schools to plant in their grounds, or in a pot in the classroom. 

More details about the campaign, including guided woodland walks, class lessons, fun tree facts, activities and more can be found at www.treeday.ie.

Joseph McConville, President of the Tree Council of Ireland, said planting trees is considered to be one of the best ways to tackle climate change. 

“For this year’s Tetra Pak Tree Day, we have up to 1,000 Spindle tree saplings to give away to primary schools,” he said.

“We are encouraging primary school teachers around the country to get outside with their students and plant a tree, which is also one of the requirements to achieve the Green-Schools’ Green Flag for Biodiversity.” 

Deborah Ryan, marketing, Tetra Pak Ireland, said: “This year’s ‘Be Planet Positive’ theme is designed to focus on the little things we can do as individuals to help the environment rather than the things we have less control over.  

“Through this campaign, we want to teach simple messages to children on how we can all minimise our impact on the environment and live more sustainably.”