600 native trees planted in a plot the size of a tennis court
Jersey Electricity is pleased to have partnered with the Government in funding the Island’s first carbon-absorbing Tiny Forest.
Working with Jersey Trees for Life and Earthwatch Europe, planting got underway this week on a plot the size of a tennis court at Hautlieu School as part of Jersey’s Climate Conversation.
The Tiny Forest concept involves densely planting native tree species in a carefully prepared and highly nutrient small plot of land. They have emerged as an ecological concept gaining ground across the world.
They grow more quickly and absorb more carbon dioxide than other plantations. The result, according to experts, is an ecosystem complex perfectly suited to local conditions that can grow 10 times faster, generate 100 times more biodiversity and absorb up to 30 times more carbon than traditional planting.
Hautlieu students planted 600 trees following ground preparation during the half-term, and they will monitor the progress of the forest and its impacts closely over the years to come.
Science teacher Leonie Bedward said: ‘Students from Hautlieu are being taught the importance of sequestration and carbon absorption as part of the International Baccalaureate Environmental Systems & Societies course, and these types of citizen science projects really help put learning into practice.’
Jane Burns, eco active programme manager for the Government of Jersey, said: ‘The first of our Tiny Forest projects is a fantastic reminder of the important role that local sequestration plays in achieving carbon neutrality. Their ability to absorb so much carbon is incredibly exciting, and we are looking forward to watching this one flourish.’
CEO of Jersey Electricity, Chris Ambler, said: 'Jersey Electricity is hugely committed to sustainability and is behind a number of planting programmes across Jersey. Partnering with Earthwatch Europe for this project is hugely exciting.
‘They are an independent research organisation that use science to better understand the environmental challenges we face and to find solutions to these issues. We are keen to understand the benefits of Tiny Forests in Jersey and are confident that the results seen in other places can be realised here.’
JE’s Head of Customer Experience and Communications Stuart Murphy added: ‘Along with our Mourier Valley re-forestation project and parish community planting schemes, we hope this project will further engage Islanders in the climate debate and the importance of reducing our carbon emissions.’
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