Tongue School tree-mendous planting effort

21st January 2009

As part of the 'Communities Project for Highland Biodiversity,' P4 to P7 pupils from Tongue Primary School in North Sutherland recently (Mon 12th Jan) had fun planting twenty young native trees, complete with deer guards and wooden stakes.

The children worked very hard assisted by Paul Castle the Highland Council Planning and Development Countryside Ranger. The young trees including Scots pine, rowan and even some oak were planted alongside the recently improved footpath leading up to Castle Varrich in Tongue.

Paul said: "We are very grateful to Ben Loyal Estate for their support with this project. Hopefully in the future many of the children will bring along their own children to enjoy the fruits of their efforts."

The biodiversity project at Tongue School also includes the children collecting local seeds and growing on young trees in the school grounds for use in future planting projects. The aim of the project is to help the children love trees but also love planting trees.

This project is one of 24 being undertaken in Highland with assistance from the Highland Biodiversity Partnership. It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and RSPB Scotland.