On Thursday 191 pupils from Laxey School will plant a tree each and learn more about the natural world.

The children will also weave bumble bee cages from reeds at the reserve with John ’Dog’ Callister, tour Ballannette Park in Baldrine and discuss the benefits of growing forests with Professor Peter Bridgewater, aterrestrial and marine biodiversity scientist.

Building industry company Stewart Clague Services Limited (SCS) is hosting the day as part of its 50th year of celebration.

The company sponsors Ballannette Trust.

To prepare for their time at Ballannette, the pupils will be learning about the value of trees and discuss the future of trees in their own area.

Classes will engage in a range of lessons and attend assemblies led by Bill Dale of Beach Buddies, Joney Faragher of the Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition and Andrew Igoea, arboricultural officer, Department of Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture, Manx BirdLife education officer Michelle Storton and the Garff Commissioners will also accompany the children.

Craig Astin, head of school, said: ’This is a fantastic opportunity for the children of Laxey School.

’[Teachers] Bronwyn Ward and Rebecca Walker have worked very hard on raising the profile of sustainability at the school and this day will provide further momentum going forward.;

Mrs Ward said: ’Being invited to participate in a planting day takes our students’ environmental awareness even further, as they gain an understanding of positive steps that members of their local community are taking to combat climate change.

’A topical topic due to the Amazon fires, our children are very excited about getting involved with this brilliant project.’

Alan Clague, a director of SCS and trustee of Ballannette Trust, said: ’We are pleased to be involved with this initiative, getting children from a young age to consider their environment has to be a positive way to make even a small impact on the climate emergency. I am sure that they will remember this day for many years to come and they will hopefully bring their own children to visit their little woodland here at Ballannette Park.’