REPORT FROM THE MAGIC OF TREES EVENT
Roseanna Ballantine describes the day at Loughrey Campus. The conference, part of the Trees for All Campaign had a wide range of activities all designed to give the children and students an appreciation of trees and woodland.
Diane Henshaw describes the Wishing Tree which was made with the help of students from Bellaghy. Wishes made from recycled trees were attached to the tree which was then destined for Stormont.
Listen to the report.
BACKGROUND TO THE MAGIC OF TREES EVENT
Over 400 children from 17 primary schools1 joined forces at Loughry Campus, Cookstown (4 to 8 February) for a unique, week-long children’s conference. Run by the Woodland Trust, the mission was to promote an appreciation and understanding of trees and woodland and to harness the enthusiasm of our younger generation.
The conference, aptly entitled the ‘Magic of Trees’, was part of the Woodland Trust’s Tree For All campaign - an ambitious UK-wide initiative which aims to inspire young people with a passion for nature.
The Magic of Trees marksed a milestone - the completion of the first three years of Tree For All, funded by Environment and Heritage Service.
The Woodland Trust offered an exciting programme including creative and informative workshops. Over a dozen professional artists will worked alongside the children to encourage an appreciation of trees and woods through poetry, storytelling, creative writing, photography and music. Outdoor action also included woodland walks and tree planting.
Experts from a number of organisations came together to ensure a truly magical experience. RSPB, the Ulster Wildlife Trust, and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council were some of the partners who led the voyage of woodland discovery.
For more about the Woodland Trust visit the website.
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