Green-fingered pupils from nine Vale of Glamorgan primary schools have been busy working with the Restore the Thaw Landscape Project on its off-shoot 'Nuts for Trees' project.

The Restore the Thaw Landscape Project launched in July this year as a three-year programme of work to make biodiversity improvements along the River Thaw and its surrounding landscape.

Most recently, local schoolchildren have participated in the 'Nuts for Trees' Project at the River Thaw which involved pupils collecting and processing native tree seeds from their local area, then planting them in specially made modules. These modules will be carefully tendered in a local tree nursery over the next two years – with the trees ready to plant out in year three of the project to provide nature corridors across the River Thaw catchment.

Mel Stewart, Project Manager for the Thaw Landscape Project, said: "We have made a commitment to plant over 30,000 trees in the next few years so we need all the help we can get.

"It was such a pleasure to have pupils from local primary schools assist with the 'Nuts for Seeds' project. Community participation and engagement is a massive part of the Restore the Thaw project, and engaging young people in the importance of biodiverse landscapes is essential."

 "I'd also like to extend a big thank you to Nancy Evans, from Coed Y Tor Trees who is helping out with this project and spending the Winter protecting the newly planted seeds from hungry mice!

Emily Shaw, Vale Nature Partnership Coordinator, who has helped part fund this project, said: "We know how much children love to engage with nature and feel part of its wonder.

"We hope this new project will give them the skills they need to experience the magic and joy of collecting seeds and growing the next generation of life-enhancing trees, shrubs, and hedgerows."

Recently, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales launched the Cymru Can Campaign to help create a thriving, inclusive, and green Wales for future generations to come.

Cymru Can is a seven-year programme which sets out five missions for all Welsh public bodies to follow to achieve their vision of a better tomorrow. One of the missions is centred around climate and nature, ensuring all Welsh public bodies achieve their net zero and nature positive goals by 2030.

The Restore the Thaw Landscape Project is committed to enhancing the biodiversity of the River Thaw, its tributaries and the surrounding landscape through tree planting and meadow restoration amongst other projects, which is in line with Cymru Can's climate and nature objectives.

The Restore the Thaw team will be delivering a further range of nature recovery projects over the next three years thanks to funding from the Nature Networks National Lottery Fund. If you are interested in getting involved with the project, you can look at their social media and website for details of other activities. Alternatively, you can contact [email protected] for more information.