Children at a dozen primary schools are learning all about growing of a different kind thanks to an initiative led by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. Hundreds of pupils are carefully nurturing saplings, which they will plant at the Conrhenny Plantation in Lonan between March 7 and 11. They are taking part in DEFA’s annual Trees for Life initiative, which encourages children to learn more about trees, both in the classroom and while out and about. Five species of native deciduous saplings – oak, ash, rowan, alder and birch – have been distributed to the schools taking part: Ashley Hill, Braddan, Bride, Cronk-y-Berry, Dhoon, Laxey, Marown, Michael, Onchan, St John’s, St Thomas’s and Vallajeelt. Activity packs issued to teachers show the children how tall trees can grow and how to measure the height and age of a tree. Pupils are also learning learn about seeds, leaves and tree identification. After pupils have visited the plantation to plant their trees, they will hopefully return in years to come to see how they are growing. More than 1,000 trees have been planted in the three years the initiative has been running. Tim Crookall MHK, a Member of DEFA, said: ‘Since this initiative was introduced in 2008 it has grown enormously and I am delighted that the Department of Education and Children continues to branch out in what has already proven to be a valuable and memorable experience for the children. We have seen that this activity plants a sense of ownership of the new woodland, which the children taking part will enjoy for many years to come.’ At Braddan School, Year 2 pupils are getting excited about their visit to the plantation after watching their saplings grow from their classroom window. Teacher Sally Harvey said: ‘They have enjoyed looking after their saplings in the quad outside the classroom and they have been measuring them from time to time to see how much they have grown. ‘The children are all looking forward to visiting Conrhenny to plant their trees. This is the third year that the school has taken part in the Trees for Life project and it complements our topic for next half term, Above and Below the Ground, really well. ‘It has been great for them to know that they have been involved in something that provides a resource for other members of the community in years to come.’ Meanwhile, the DEFA is thanking Manx Telecom staff for the volunteer work they have undertaken in recent months at Conrhenny Plantation, which includes pathway improvements, creation of a picnic area and installation of car park fencing. Ends