Schools take delivery of free trees

GENERATIONS of school children in Bellingen and Coffs Harbour will have lasting reminders of the 2011 International Year of Forests.
The schools that have taken up the Forests NSW North East Region offer of free trees to mark the occasion will have their trees delivered over the coming weeks.
Each school has been given up to 75 trees to plant with choices such as forest red gum, blackwood, silky oak and red cedar.
“This is International Year of Forests and we encouraged schools to think of the environment and take up this special offer of up to $150 of free native trees being made available,” said Bob Aspden, the Forests NSW North East Region forester organising the program.
“Twenty-three schools responded and are participating in the program.
“Schools are encouraged to plant native species to beautify the environment for children and parents, to provide shade and to provide a haven for local wildlife.
“We want to encourage children to participate in the planting of trees.
“This time of the year is a perfect time to plant native trees while there are rain showers around and before the winter season.”