Shared School Woodland
From The Ground has gone underground this past month, so busy have we been planning an exciting new project for the children: we’re going to plant a new wood. The Shared School Woodland Scheme is all about bringing schools together, building new woodlands and planting a better future.
This week marks National Tree Week. First launched in 1975, it is the UK’a largest annual tree celebration. it marks the start of the winter tree planting season. Organised by the Tree Council, National Tree Week is a great chance for communities and schools to do something positive for their local treescape, and that’s exactly what From The Ground intends to do.
With momentum behind us from our school allotment project at Oakridge, we’re taking our enthusiasm to the wider community to get more kids outside growing and caring about their environment. Our new project is bigger and more challenging than ever before. It’s going to be an uphill climb, but as is often the way, the harder the climb, the greater the rewards. We’ve no doubt that what’s at the top will be well worth the effort.
The new wood will provide a space for groups of children from different schools to meet, talk and share ideas. It will represent one mind, one purpose and one common thought. It will act as a nucleus where individual schools can act as a collective whole and do something for the better good of the environment, as well as making a valid contribution to the local community. The work these schools do within the environmental curriculum will enable a larger community to evolve. Everyone who is a part of that community will feel the full support and mutual benefits of it.
The Shared School Woodland Scheme is being run in conjunction with Thomas Keble Secondary School and Stroud based environmental group, Earth Protectors. More information about what the Earth Protectors do can be found here, https://www.stopecocide.earth. Stroud has become the UK's first Earth Protector town and they plan to roll out a new scheme to create Earth Protector schools. The Shared School Woodland will form part of that initiative and contribute towards achieving Earth Protector school status. It’s a really exciting partnership.
Thomas Keble is one of Stroud’s most popular secondary schools and many local primary schools fall within its catchment area. The plan is to approach those primary schools, inviting them to be a part of the Shared School Woodland Scheme. The hope is that the children who plant the wood together will continue to learn together as they progress through both schools. As the trees grow, so will their friendships. It will give context, understanding and insight into how relationships change over time. Trees do a good job at giving perspective. Currently Oakridge, Minchinhampton, Brimscombe, Thrupp and Christchurch Chalford are all on board. It’s really exciting to talk to these schools and hear their enthusiasm for the project. Ultimately, it’s the children who will benefit. Other schools that have been approached include Bisley, Chalford Hill, Stroud Valley, Seven View, Rodborough, Amberley and Eastcombe.
Oakridge School recently received their free trees for schools from The Woodland Trust and it is these saplings that will be planted in the new wood. The varieties were chosen with the children in mind. There is a lovely combination of working wood, such as willow and hazel, some fruit producing varieties, from which the children can make their own jams and jellies, and some wildlife rich varieties such as blackthorn, silver birch and common oak. Not all will be suitable for the site, but with careful consideration, many will have a purpose to ensure the woodland thrives and ultimately takes off.
The original plan had been to plant the saplings on the allotment. However, when we ordered the trees we were unaware of the restrictions in place on the allotment plot in Oakridge. This was a bit of an oversight, however, we’re not easily deterred and so we decided to find an alternative site. It’s worked out very well. The scale of the project has increased ten told. We’re on the verge of creating something very special.
After many months of enquiries, it was at a tree seminar held at the Council Chambers in Stroud where From The Ground was given a lead about a local land owner who might have a suitable field. After an initial meeting on site, everyone soon discovered they were of the same mindset. Plans are really starting to come together. Here’s a shot of the team, comprising of the land owner, landscape architect and myself. We’re a determined bunch of ladies, a bit like the three musketeers, but fighting for a much worthier cause.
The area of land designated for planting can be seen in the photograph below. It’s currently scrubland covered in a thick carpet of brambles. What’s really advantageous about the proposed site is that it sits between existing woodland. Everyone talks about planting new trees, but it’s not just about sticking any old tree in the ground. It’s important to choose the right variety. It’s also important to integrate the new trees into existing woodland so as to create something seamless and natural. The site lends itself very well to this. It’s pretty fantastic stuff.
The site is peaceful, unspoilt and idyllic. I took a few moments recently to sit at the top and take in the view. It’s a very special place. The birds sore, the clouds dance and the trees wave. It’s the definition of tranquility. To think that it might provide a unifying space for children to come together and learn together, to be friends together, it’s a great feeling. Predominantly south facing, the land gently slopes away to the west. A really huge thank you to the landowner for being so open minded about our idea and so supportive of the vision that we have. Projects like this only get out of the ground if there are a bunch of like minded individuals who possess tenacity, enthusiasm and aren’t afraid of a bit of red tape. If there were more people in the world who had conviction there would probably be a lot more trees getting planted. One should never be afraid to go after what they believe in.
Sometimes in life fate feels like it plays its hand and this couldn’t be more true than in this instance. There is a beautiful old oak at the top of the site. It’s a lovely nod to Oakridge School, the seed from which the idea for this wood has ultimately grown. When something feels like it was meant to be, often that’s because it is. It is no coincidence that this beautiful big oak tree sits right in the middle of the plot, arching its great wooden back protectively over the land that stretches out before it. Its branches reach out with a big hug for all who tread near it. No doubt it will offer shelter when it rains, shade when it’s sunny and solace for any soul who might need it. It’s a beauty. This oak is a sign. One feels positive things are going to be achieved here.
From a practical point of view, access to the site is great. It’s just a short, flat stroll along well maintained footpaths. It’s very easy for groups of children. There is parking on the lane where the footpath starts and a car park a little further up the hill.
The site is only a five minute drive from Oakridge School and no more than a ten minute drive from any of the other schools involved in the scheme. It’s extremely well placed. Going forward, once the woodland has been planted, the hope is that the children can return to the site to help manage it and enjoy further outdoor learning opportunities.
Katy Craine, a landscape architect, kindly drafted the below plans of the site. They will support the tree survey that is due to be carried out in the new year. The tree survey will identify what trees already exist and which trees are considered to be dangerous. It will help with the planting scheme for the new trees to ensure they compliment the existing woodland that currently flanks each side of the site.
Going forward, the next steps are very exciting. We will continue to rally local schools to try and bring more on board. The tree survey is being carried out in early January. From this we will be able to work out numbers and species of new saplings. A fundraising campaign is also due to be launched in January. This will be a joint campaign raising money on behalf of all the schools involved in the project. The money will pay for tool packages for each of the schools, any additional tree guards and supports, mulch matting, tree felling and possibly more willow to create a living willow learning dome. The landowner is taking on the daunting task of clearing the land of brambles, which is due to be completed by February. Come the end of March the area will be ready for planting. At this point, tree planting sessions will be organised and the children will be invited to come and plant the trees.
I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Tree Week than with the launch of our new tree planting project. Ultimately, it will be the children who benefit the most. They are the reason why we do this after all. From The Ground has great passion and commitment to ensuring that all children feel the full benefits of being outside, surrounded by nature. If they aren’t taught about why it’s important to look after the world around them, and if they don’t understand how to look after it, then who’s going to care? We want the new woodland to give our children the opportunity to plant a better future for themselves. There’s no greater lesson than that.