Stockton on Tees Borough Council
Borough of Stockton on Tees

Walk to School - Plant a Tree in 2003

A scheme to reduce the carbon imput to the environment of the School Run in Stockton on Tees.

Project Overview:

The goals of the scheme were: One, to increase awareness of the environmental impact of overdependence on cars for the journey to school, and two, to develop an awareness of the "carbon sink" capabilities of trees, and their use to offset carbon emissions. Working with the Tees Forest, who create and manage community forests across the Teesside area, and provide educational services, the intention is to create an ongoing tree planting programme which will continue to 1)Offset the emissions of the School Run, 2) Create a community/educational woodland resource which will be useable by all sectors of the community 3) Provide opportunities to demonstrate practical sustainability in the curriculum. Aditionally, we hope to provide grounds improvements for several schools through the continued tree planting programme, and the awarding of specific, school based prizes. One school will directly benefit from the planting of up to 50 trees on their grounds.

Holy Trinity students proving that you can walk and have fun

Innovation:

The entire promootion was designed and run in-house, with no bought in materials (except the trees of course). The mixed, broadleaf woodland to be planted will cover, in year 1, one hectare, and students from selected schools will be involved in the planting. Working with the TeesForest provides not only the planting and management service, but an educational backup. Three prizes will be provided: 1)An assembly on the importance of trees as an environmental resource, 2) An "out of curriculum" day, where one class will spend the day planting trees in their own grounds, 3) an "Environmental Makeover" where one school will receive the services of Tees Forest's Land Services Team.

Holy Trinity School really enter into the spirit of Walk to School Week

Achievement:

Primarily, the planting of 1 hectare of community woodland, a vital and long term community, educational and recreational resource. Secondly for at least one week, the shift of ?% of children to walking from car use. Thirdly, the opportunity to move the debate on Walking to School away from a very simplistic base, and to introduce some real science into the discussions

This is the area of broadleaf woodland that will be planted thanks to the efforts of the children of Stockton on Tees who walked to school in 2003

Sustainability and Potential for Replication:

More trees planted next year; better, more organised promotion; greater curriculum resource development (in partnership with TeesForest and teachers). Funding will continue from the Local Transport Plan - it is hoped that additional funding will become available as our, and other UK Local Authorities begin to adopt their climate change strategies (as part of LA21 strategies). Even if the programme finished now, we will still have 1 hectare of woodland which will continue as a community and educational resource, whose ability to offset at least some of the emissions of the school run will increase as the woodland matures.

Contact Information:

George Callaghan
School Travel Plan Champion
Stockton on Tees Borough Council
Kingsway House, West Precinct, Billingham TS23 2YL
Teesside
Engalnd
george.callaghan@stockton.gov.uk
01642 397712
01642 397716