Kidwelly foundation resurrects hedgerow management and gives children eco skills

A Kidwelly project is playing a huge part in caring for the environment and also teaching children about the importance of looking after nature.

The John Burns Foundation has two schemes running, one is teaching people the dying art of managing hedgerows and the other is getting little ones involved in green fingered activities - in particular tree planting.

The foundation which has approximately 20 acres of land sees both projects compliment each other.

Project manager Chris Cray said: "Its an art that is dying out in managing hedgerows and we are using the opportunity in education and teaching the community while developing the land with the environment in mind.

"Attendees of our first introductory hedge-laying course really got to grips with things.

"Under the supervision of master craftsman Richard Lewis, Mencap volunteers along with members of the John Burns Foundation’s Better Tomorrow Programme re-laid 60 meters of beautiful old hedge line.

"This activity is just one of the exciting conservation initiatives that are starting here at the John Burns Foundation, made possible by support from the Leader European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire Council."

Matthew Collinson conservation and outdoor preservation officer at the John Burns Foundation said: "Hedge laying is a traditional practice, by which trees and shrubs are partially cut and then lain almost flat, after which, they regrow vigorously creating a dense boundary that is a valuable habitat for wildlife.

He added : "Many of our hedges were cleared to make way for bigger fields after the Second World War, or have become neglected over time.

"When managed sensitively, their value to biodiversity cannot be underestimated and although rarely no more than a few metres wide, some hedges can even be classed as ancient woodland themselves.

"A well maintained hedge is like its very own woodland inside."

Turning to the efforts of Carmarthenshire school children at the foundation's land as part of its Woodland Heroes project, Mr Collinson said: "We have visits here from schools where pupils help us plant trees and we give them a talk about trees and how important they are in nature.

"We have also been doing an outreach scheme where we have planted apple trees in schools across Carmarthenshire.

"The children love planting the trees and are always enthusiastic which is great."

The Woodland Heroes project has been designed by The John Burns Foundation with European funding from the Leader programme and has seen pupils from Ysgol Gwenllian, Ysgol Mynyddygarreg, Ysgol Parc y Tywyn, Ysgol y Castell, Ysgol Heol Goffa, Pembrey Primary School, Trimsaran Primary School and Burry Port Primary School learn about the many benefits of planting
trees.

More than 600 saplings in total were kindly donated by the Woodland Trust as part of their wider initiative to reach the UK government’s 2050 carbon neutral target.

Each group of pupils planted their own patch of wildwood trees on agricultural land at Canolfan John Burns Centre, with the goal of offsetting carbon emissions and restoring wildlife corridors in the local community.

They learned about carbon dioxide and sustainability and acquired the skills to plant and care for trees.

They are now ambassadors for change and can take the lead on reducing the carbon footprint of their schools.

John Burns, the founder of the John Burns Foundation said “It is crucial that young people understand and tackle the consequences of global warming, we want to encourage them to change their behaviour to respond to what is already a global emergency.

"This programme is not only about planting trees, but also about planting seeds in the children’s mind about being responsible for our planet.”

The new trees planted will benefit the community of Kidwelly and beyond for many years to come, from increasing local biodiversity and improving air quality to providing opportunities for recreational activities and outdoor learning, enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of all those who visit.

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