Sound pupils dig deep and help plant trees at Gremista estate
PUPILS from Sound Primary School have helped to plant new native trees in Gremista as part of Lerwick Port Authority’s (LPA) annual environmental improvement work.
The school bairns joined staff from the LPA, Shetland Amenity Trust and L&M Engineering to plant trees on the port estate in late June.
It is the eighth year in which the LPA has brought together young folk and local organisations to plant trees in Lerwick, and forms part of the authority’s environmental improvement programme.
Shetland Amenity Trust selected and supplied a range of native tree species suited to local conditions, with a total of 282 trees – including downy birch, hazel, dog rose, and common alder, which no longer grows in Shetland – being planted.
LPA HSEQ and projects manager Stuart Wadley said the project had become an “important part” of their annual work.
“Over the past eight years, we have annually committed to rewilding different parts of the port estate, and it is particularly rewarding to involve local young people in that work,” he said.
“The trees planted today reflect a shared commitment between local organisations to enhance Shetland’s natural environment through practical action and long-term collaboration.”
Similarly Shetland Amenity Trust has supported the programme over a number of years, encouraging young people to engage with conservation and the natural environment.
The trust’s woodlands team manager, Paul Goddard, said that watching bairns digging in the soil and planting their own trees “never fails to make everyone involved smile”.
He said the event “has become one of the highlights of our year”.
“We hope this instils a love and appreciation of trees and wildlife and some of them may find careers in conservation or just enjoy helping out in their spare time,” he said.
“What is especially exciting for us is seeing the number of small urban woodlands growing up around the town.”
Sound School’s depute head teacher Margaret Birrell said the pupils “thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to plant trees”.
“It is a great way to learn about the importance of conservation, and they are proud to know that they have directly been involved in helping to protect the environment,” she said.
“They are very proud that those trees will still be there in years to come.”
And L&M Engineering director Steven Laurenson said they were “proud” to support the project, adding they “look forward to seeing the long-term benefits these trees will bring to the area.”
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