More than 4,000 trees have been planted across the Island to support the authority’s goal to reach net zero status by 2030.

Pupils at Ysgol David Hughes, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Ysgol Brynsiencyn, Ysgol Kingsland, Ysgol y Ffridd, Ysgol Penysarn, Ysgol Llanfechell and Ysgol Rhyd y Llan recently planted 500 trees at their respective schools as part of a campaign to create a network of micro forests across Anglesey.

The project - led by the council’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Team - oversaw an investment of £10,000 funded by the Welsh Government via the Green Recovery Fund and Sustainable Development Fund Capital.

It supports the aims and objectives set out in the council’s Biodiversity Plan to help tackle climate change.

The tree planting utilised the innovative Japanese Miyawaki method, which uses natural forest regeneration processes and prompts trees to grow faster. This method speeds up the creation of a diverse, healthy forest which can capture more carbon far earlier than traditional reforesting techniques.

AONB Community Warden, Joseff Davies said, “This is a fantastic project and one that will support our aim of tackling climate change. It was great to be able to educate and get local school children involved within the project, their enthusiasm to learn was infectious.”

He added, “We were able to teach the children how to identify certain tree species and the importance that they have to our environment. The project has given both the pupils and schools a sense of ownership, which will support us to take care of the micro forests for years to come.”

A mix of native broadleaf trees were planted across the eight schools including - Crab Apple, Beech, Hazel and Wild Cherry and will make up for loss of trees across Anglesey as a result of Ash dieback disease.

Over time these trees will make a positive contribution to the environment by removing carbon from the atmosphere; one of the objectives of the Towards Net Zero Plan 2022-2025.

The project’s Green Recovery Grant was secured by the Council’s Planning Built and Natural Environment Team.

Ends 4 May 2022