The Proud Past Bright Future Project which has been sponsored by Smurfit Kappa SSK started the tree planting programme in some of the schools in Nechells today. Paul Freeman, the Operations Director for Smurfit Kappa SSK in Nechells visited St Vincent’s Catholic Primary to plant the first tree for the project with the pupils and the Project Management Team from Forest Schools Birmingham.
The species chosen included Oak, Silver Birch, Rowan, Alder and Sweet Chestnut, the Oak will grow slowly and live for over 1000 years but other species like the Silver Birch will have a life span of around 70 years. The Schools involved in the project chose a variety of trees to be planted in their school grounds so that the young people can look after them and watch their trees grow as they are growing up in Nechells. The future plan is that in about a years time the children will chose a suitable site in the community to replant their tree and continue to watch it grow.
