Local school children from Medlock Primary School, got to test their green-fingers this winter as they gave their school grounds a garden makeover.
Teaming up with leading environmental initiative and Community Forest for Greater Manchester Red Rose Forest the children planted over 200 new daffodil and tulip bulbs to spruce up their school grounds.
The bulbs, which should come into bloom in spring, will add colour and interest to the school environment, providing vital habitats for wildlife and encouraging youngsters to engage with and protect the natural environment.
The activity was organised and run through Red Rose Forest's Green Streets project and compliments the planting of 4 new Silver Birch trees on Wadeson Road at the end of last year by the Green Streets team and local residents.
Green Streets is a ground breaking initiative which uses street greening projects to improve the quality of life for urban communities, helping to achieve the vision of Red Rose Forest to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable Greater Manchester.
Sam Dow of Red Rose Forest said: "Trees and greenery are so important to urban areas, as locally they can promote biodiversity, help to improve air quality, reduce temperatures on hot summer days, and increase the sense of local pride."
Fiona Maguire, Head Teacher at Medlock Primary School said: "We are delighted to be involved in this activity. It is an excellent opportunity for the children to gain first hand experience and learn about the value and importance of urban greenery and in addition will help to make the school a more attractive, interesting and healthy place for the children..."
This project was made possible thanks to funding from Manchester City Councils Cash Grant Scheme. If you live in the Manchester area and are interested in having trees on your street please contact the Green Streets Team at Red Rose Forest for advice and support on 0161 872 1660.
Photo captions Pupils from Medlock Primary School
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Notes to Editors:
1. Red Rose Forest is a leading environmental regeneration initiative in Greater Manchester and is one of 12 Community Forests across England. We are a partnership of Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Trafford and Wigan and the Cities of Manchester and Salford. Over forty years we will help to transform a large part of Greater Manchester into a greener, healthier and more satisfying place to live, work and invest. At the heart of our strategy is the involvement of a wide partnership of local communities, businesses and other partners in the environmental, social and economic regeneration of the area. United Utilities is the principle private sector supporter of the Forest and together we have worked in a close partnership over the last 10 years.
2. Green Streets is a nationally respected ground breaking initiative which uses street greening projects to improve the quality of life for urban communities. From planting street trees, to creating communal green alleyways and living green walls, Green Streets works at the heart of the community with residents, businesses and partner organisations to promote the value of greening as a means of tackling a range of social, health and economic issues. Each community is different so Green Streets produces a sustainable tailor-made greening scheme to meet their specific needs. Green Streets is a joint Red Rose Forest and Community Forests Northwest initiative in partnership with Manchester City Council, Trafford Council, Salford City Council, the Forestry Commission, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and United Utilities.
