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Sheffield Homes Growing Invesment gets a Helping Hand from School Pupils
Sheffield Homes received a helping hand when they began their tree planting renewal programme in and around the city this week. Pupils from Reignhead Primary School, Beighton, helped to plant 4 ornamental pear trees on the green space next to the side entrance of Reignhead Primary School, Beighton.
This is part of an ongoing partnership between Sheffield Homes and Sheffield City Council’s Trees & Woodland’s department towards a strategic tree renewal programme. In a major new initiative, £50,000 has been allocated for planting 5,000 trees as part of the New Administration’s commitment/pledge to safeguard and improve Sheffield’s green environment, £10,000 of which has been allocated to Sheffield Homes. This is probably the greatest single amount ever allocated specifically for tree planting in the city and represents a major boost to the environment and city’s urban forest.
Many of Sheffield’s trees have stood for well over 100 years, making the city more attractive, healthier and habitable. But many thousands of these are fast approaching the end of their natural lifespan and a new generation is needed to take over from these ancient guardians.
It is being delivered through community forestry projects to target those areas where further tree planting will bring about positive enhancement of people’s surroundings and benefits to both the immediate and wider environment.
Sheffield Homes South East Housing Area Manager Shaun Nolan says: “We see this as a good way of getting young people interested in the environment and taking part in the local community. It’s great that the south east area has been chosen to kick start this new city-wide initiative. This tree planting scheme will set in motion the regeneration of Sheffield’s urban forest, helping to safeguard and improve this valuable asset for generations to come and helping to reduce the future impact of climate change on the city.”
Sheffield Homes’ Community Forester Jez Platts says: “This initiative will help Sheffield keep its reputation as the greenest city in the UK. The children get to plant something which will grow with them throughout their lives and the trees can be enjoyed by residents for years to come".
Also in attendance were Cllrs Ian Saunders, Chris Rosling-Josephs and Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Homes Wardens, representatives from Beighton Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and members of Beighton Environment Group.