Youngsters plant seed for future (From Barry And District News)

Youngsters plant seed for future

DUKE of Edinburgh Award participants and volunteers from Wales pulled on their wellies to take part in a national tree planting marathon to celebrate the charity's 50th anniversary.

Five hundred trees were provided by The Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, to be planted in ten locations around the country, including Porthkerry Country Park in Barry, to mark the achievements of the DoE Award during the past 50 years and to create lasting legacies to be enjoyed by all for many years to come.

Porthkerry is the location for a new community woodland project which is being delivered by the Trust in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Barry Town Council, Girlguiding Cymru and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.

It involves the creation of a new native woodland through the planting of 40 acres of trees to the north eastern end of the park.

Fifty trees were planted at Porthkerry by the team of award participants including young people from two Barry schools - Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and Ysgol Maes Dyfan.

Award groups will be offered the opportunity to plant more trees in the autumn.

DoE Award Director for Wales Stephanie Price said: "Service to the community is a key component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and many participants choose conservation and the environment as part of their service and residential sections.

"By planting these trees, award participants have helped to improve the landscape of their communities as well as contributing to a 50th anniversary target to reach a grand total of one million service hours by participants in one year.

"Since the award was launched, more than five million young people in 100 countries have provided 54 million hours of service to their communities.

"This is an outstanding achievement and I am thrilled that we have marked our 50th anniversary by planting trees that will grow to improve our landscape, just as the work of the award will grow over the next 50 years to improve the lives of millions more young people."

Meriel Robson, of The Woodland Trust, who organised the Porthkerry planting, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Duke of Edinburgh Award's vast army of dedicated participants and volunteers.

"With their help, we will be able to create ten lasting legacies across the UK to help transform our landscape. Their efforts will reap benefits for generations to come by helping create thriving green spaces that are teeming with life."