12 February 2010
United Utilities and Cheshire Wildlife Trust are working together to run a tree planting project at Macclesfield Forest with local schoolchildren.
Children at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 from Wincle Primary School, Hollinhey Primary School, Broken Cross Primary School and Park Lane Primary School will be taking part.
The Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Team will be supervising the project, which is due to take place on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26.
The project will contribute to aims three and four of the Trust's Conservation Strategy, which endeavour to 'Inspire People about the Natural World' and 'Foster Sustainable Living'.
Each of the schools will spend half a day at the forest and will plant 200 oak and hazel trees, which are native species to the forest.
The children will also take part in woodland-related activities designed to teach them about the importance trees have to people and wildlife.
Jan Shone, Head of People and Wildlife at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Planting trees is a wonderful opportunity to engage children with the natural world and hopefully inspire them to look after their environment and local wildlife in the future.
"Trees provide important habitats for many species as a home to live in, for shelter and as a source of food.
"As we will be planting native broadleaved species of tree we will ensure a valuable future environment for birds such as siskins, goldcrests, pied flycatchers, garden warblers and blackcap that currently live in the forest - as well as the other species to be found there.
"Thanks go to United Utilities for their ongoing commitment to Macclesfield Forest, which is a Site of Biological Importance.
"Part of the forest is a Nature Reserve managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust- which includes the largest heronry in the Peak District - so we have been delighted to work with United Utilities on this project."
United Utilities, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the forest, will fund the scheme and is equally pleased to be working with the Wildlife Trust.
Ian Leech, United Utilities' Wildlife Warden, said: "United Utilities has continued to increase the proportion of broadleaved trees at Macclesfield Forest.
"Working in partnership with Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the local schools is an excellent way that we can establish wildlife-rich woodlands and teach children the importance of these habitats.
"We would like to thank the children for taking part in the project and hope that they return to the forest to admire the trees in the future."
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