Scheme to plant 100 'microforests' begins

CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN PLANT OUT THE FIRST OF THE TREES

A SCHEME to plant almost 100 ‘microforests’ across Plymouth which was inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth II has begun.

Two microforests – small, dense forests that are a mixture of trees and plants that produce remarkable biodiversity for their size – have already been planted at two city schools.

Mount Wise Primary School and the YMCA Discovery College in Honicknowle, linked to Manadon Vale Primary School, are the first sites to get microforests, while the scheme was officially launched this week.

The initiative is by a new Community Interest Company based in the city called Societree, which launched the scheme at an event on Thursday night at Market Hall in Devonport, with more than 200 people from businesses and organisations across the city present.

Societree’s long-term ambition is to build a greener, more sustainable future in as many different communities, starting with the planting of the 96 microforests.

When a microforest is planted at a school, the pupils at the school also get free books featuring fun forest characters designed by Societree, led by ‘Mushi’ the mushroom.