100 new school woodlands have been planted thanks to a new initiative from leading environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy.

More than 2,500 learners from across the country have gained hands-on experience of tree planting through the ‘My Tree, Our Forest: for Schools’ project.

Together, they have planted a staggering 8,040 trees in just three months.

Clyro Church in Wales Primary School was one of the schools that took part in the project.

The Keep Wales Tidy led project was funded by Welsh Government and delivered in partnership with Size of Wales and Woodland Trust.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James said: “My Tree our Forest has been an incredible campaign that has seen 300,000 trees planted in Wales.

“Our schools and students have been a stellar part of its success, having planted thousands of trees in just a few months. I want to send a big thank you to those who mucked in and gave space for a tree to lay its roots.

“Your tree - as it grows from sapling to mighty - will suck carbon from the atmosphere, clean the air we breathe and provide a habitat for critters and birds and mammals alike.”

Schools that took part had the opportunity to learn about the importance of trees to preserving local biodiversity, managing floods, and mitigating the effects of climate change. They were also given guidance on how to care for and manage their woodland.

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many new woodlands taking shape in schoolgrounds across the country. The most important part of the project has been encouraging pupils to get stuck into tree planting, creating new habitats that will enable nature to thrive.

“We hope this respect for nature and sense of responsibility for the planet will stay with them for years to come.”

My Tree, Our Forest: for schools’ supports Welsh Government’s plan for a National Forest.

For more information on projects which create and restore green spaces, visit the Keep Wales Tidy website at https://keepwalestidy.cymru/