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Every Bristol child to plant one tree
Bristol is the first city in the world to roll out new global initiative, One Tree Per Child. The project launched on Monday and aims to involve 36,000 children in Bristol, all planting at least one tree each.
One Tree Per Child has been co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Australian environmentalist Jon Dee, who are already behind a number of leafy projects, including Australia’s National Tree Day, which saw 10 million native trees and shrubs planted across Australia.
Olivia, who has planted over 10,000 trees in her own home, says that the project is hugely important to her.
is needed now More than ever
She said: “I believe that society benefits when young children get out, get their hands in the earth, and plant trees. It’s is a great way for kids in Bristol to connect to the environment and their community.”
Bristol is first to launch the initiative, with the Australian town of Bourke set to follow suit in March.
Olivia says: “Because Bristol is the European Green Capital, it seems like the perfect city to launch One Tree Per Child.”
While Olivia won’t be making the trip around the globe on this occasion, she has spent a lot of time in the city.
She told Bristol24/7: “My aunt used to live in Bristol and I used to stay there. It’s a great city!”
Jon, however, is already here and getting his hands dirty along with Mayor George Ferguson and CBBC presenter Naomi Wilkinson who all attended the launch of the project, planting the very first trees with children from Avonmouth Primary School, Upper Horfield School and Parson Street School.
Bristol City Council will cover the cost of planting the trees and provide land if the schools have none available. The council’s Tree Pips schools project will be absorbed into the new wider ranging One Tree Per Child initiative.
“Having children plant a tree in 2015 is a great way to celebrate Bristol’s year as the European Green Capital,” Olivia says.
“In years to come, the children who plant a tree will be able to look back and say, ‘that was my tree – I really made a difference’.”
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