Cully & Sully and LEAF Ireland are planting four Na Coillte Beaga (little woodlands) in schools throughout County Cork, 800 native trees will be planted in total. The four schools are Midleton College, Rockboro Primary, Scoil Realt na Mara, Ballycotton, and St. John the Baptist, Midleton.  All four schools are also working on the Green-Schools programme.

The four projects are being funded by Cully & Sully, and delivered by the staff Environmental Education Unit (EEU) of An Taisce. These little woodlands will provide the four schools with an outdoor living classroom, a place where staff and students can connect with biodiversity. The An Choill Bheag initiative involves the students in the entire process, the planning, the planting and the maintenance.

Cullen Allen, of Cully & Sully said “When we heard about this initiative, we were so excited to get involved. The schools chosen for this round are close to our home’s and across the road from our office. Educating children and teenagers about woodland habitats and biodiversity is important in the world we live in today.  Getting students participating in this programme is not only good for their school and locality but also good for their minds and lots of fun!”

Rachel Geary from LEAF Ireland said: “Woodlands and forests are critical habitats for the health of our planet. Not only is it important that we educate students about the importance of these habitats, we need to create new habitats for people and wildlife and ensure students have the skills to protect and maintain them after we have completed the projects. The students on these four projects are very enthusiastic, and are really embracing the whole process.