Children can start looking for signs of Spring this February half term with the Green Tree Badge initiative, which puts trees and nature centre stage for young people, parents, teachers and communities. Challenging primary school children to go on a fun journey of activities that will encourage scientific curiosity, creativity, and promote responsible citizenship of trees and forestry, it’s a simple and easy way to keep the kids entertained.
Created by forestry education charity The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) and environmentally-conscious brand Bags of Ethics, who share a vision that children are the future planners, managers and custodians of our woodlands, the Green Tree Badge challenge asks parents and schools to register online and purchase an activity passbook filled with fun tree and environment-oriented activities. It is also being supported by the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (RSFS).
The passbook is divided into four themes; growing tall, shelter, food, and trees & me, with six activities to choose from in each theme. Each child must complete two activities from each theme; once completed and recorded on the online portal by an adult, a Green Tree Badge will be awarded to the participant, to proudly showcase on clothing or accessories as a badge of honour.
Make it a fun day out in a group or with families and friends, and give children the opportunity to discover different types of trees, learn about how they grow, find out how they benefit wildlife and explore the different uses of timber. These simple activities can be done in the garden, in your nearest park or on a trip to the countryside.
Example activities include:
- Measure the height of a tall tree
- Build a tree den and record the height
- Plant a bee-friendly plant
- Make leaf art using different types of leaves
- Go foraging
There is also a Gold Award challenge that requires more action. Evidence of completion of these activities must be uploaded on the portal. Gold candidates will be assessed by an esteemed judging panel and will be eligible for selection to take part in exclusive events and award ceremonies.
The aim is for 1 million children to participate with their families, community groups or schools to learn more about the incredible world of trees. It will deepen understanding of the value of trees and forestry, and the part they play in the battle against climate change.
Supporters of the Green Tree Badge include Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, HM Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Tony Kirkham MBE, former Head of the Arboretum at Royal Botanic Gardens,Kew, Sir David Jason, Alice Beer, The Black Gardener Danny Clarke and other leaders in education, conservation and forestry.
Activations for the Green Tree Badge will take place across the country with ceremonies for children being held in castles, arboretums and national gardens. Organisations supporting and partnering with Green Tree Badge include The Scouts and Severn Trent Water.
To buy the Activity Passbook and Green Tree Badge tools, or register your interest as a school, community group, individual or corporate donor visit www.bagsofethics.org/greentreebadge
Retailers for the project are asked to contact info@bagsofethics.org
About Bags of Ethics
Bags of Ethics is a sustainable brand promoting reusable products for people and planet. Leading several consumer-facing campaigns to promote reusable lifestyles without using single-use plastic, Bags of Ethics is most known for charity collaborations with the British Fashion Council, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee tree planting campaign – Queen’s Green Canopy, and celebrity designer collections with Mulberry, Henry Holland, Zuhair Murad, Julien Macdonald and others. Bags of Ethics was founded by entrepreneur Dr Sri Ram on the three pillars of people, planet and product back in 1999.
Bags of Ethics creates reusable products including tote bags, sustainable packaging and merchandise all out of a 100%-owned factory in Pondicherry, South India, in which 80%+ of the workforce are women, many of whom are the main breadwinners. The company has won several awards including Most Ethical Supply Chain with Business in the Community.
About Royal Forestry SocietyÂ
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is the largest and most established forestry education charity, promoting the wise management of trees and woods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The charity aims to inspire passion and excellence in woodland management through education and knowledge-sharing.
The RFS is committed to inspiring a new generation of skilled foresters and people who love and appreciate woodland including a Junior Forester Award and Teaching Trees programmes that support schools.
It works to bring neglected woods back into management and believes sharing knowledge on how to manage woods to a high standard is vital to the long-term health of our woods and trees. Its policies identify what is required to ensure our woods deliver their full economic, environmental and public benefits in an era of climate change.
How to Read a Tree
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