Mansfield students plant seeds for a greener future

An environmental campaign was given a boost at West Nottinghamshire College when students planted new trees at the campus in Mansfield.
Zoe Gibson digs the first hole for the hawthorn saplings.Zoe Gibson digs the first hole for the hawthorn saplings.
Zoe Gibson digs the first hole for the hawthorn saplings.

The My World, My Home project has seen A-level students getting involved in a number of ways of making positive changes to the environment.

The project provides students with a recognised level three qualification in community campaigning and will earn them eight UCAS points each, ready for when they apply to university.

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The tree planting initiative came about after the group decided to organise a local community campaign and reached out to both Mansfield and Ashfield District Councils to consider double-tree planting in their districts to help tackle the climate crisis, provide homes for wildlife and to prevent flooding.

The My World, My Home group with tutors and campaign co-ordinator Hannah Evans.The My World, My Home group with tutors and campaign co-ordinator Hannah Evans.
The My World, My Home group with tutors and campaign co-ordinator Hannah Evans.

The group planted 25 native hawthorn hedges in an area of the college’s field known as The Patch, which is home to a wildlife garden and pond, accompanied by the My World, My Home campaign coach, Hannah Evans.

Students were shown how to dig the ground to prepare it for planting each small sapling, before they were tied to individual stakes and protected with a tree guard.

A-level student Dylan Ryles, 17, said: “I think this is great thing to do. We want to make Mansfield more sustainable in terms of tree coverage and we’ve had great support from Mansfield District Council, who recommended the hawthorn bushes to plant. We’re enjoying getting these planted today and will keep a close eye on them as they grow.”

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