Friday 09-12-2016 - 14:09

Chirldren from Bowerham School visited the Green Lancaster EcoHub at Lancaster University to help plant a ‘Hedgerow of the Future’.

Green Lancaster is a collaborative sustainable initiative between Lancaster University and the Student’s Union. The EcoHub is a community food growing and biodiversity space which is one of many initiatives to celebrate and encourage sustainable behaviour.

More than 400 children planted at least one sapling around the EcoHub Orchard site, which contains over 30 fruit-trees including apple, pear, plumb and small willow copses. The incredibly wet and muddy conditions under foot following the heavy rain over the weekend didn’t halt progress and added to the overall fun and experience.

Student and staff volunteers from the University and staff from the School got stuck into the planting.

Headteacher Jo Longworth said: "What a wonderful experience for all the children in our school. They have made an impact on the future of Lancaster and their local community that will stand the test of time and make memories forever.”

University Vice-Chancellor Mark E. Smith visited the group to meet the pupils and oversee progress on the hedge. 

he said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the pupils from Bowerham Primary School to campus. It is great to see Green Lancaster leading on this which provided an opportunity for the children to do something practical as well as learning and understanding the importance of our environment. The school has helped with our campus landscape, which will benefit the university.”

The ‘Hedge of the Future’ will be made of 3,000 hedgerow plants including hawthorn, field maple and hazel to form a boundary around the site, bringing a boost for native wildlife from pollinating insects through to hedgerow birds and small mammals.

Students continue planting the hedge during the beginning of December.