Fir Vale students plant trees for the future

Photos: Ersalan Hussain & Aamir Hussain Fir Vale School photography club

In February and March 2009 Fir Vale School students worked with Burngreave Community Forestry to plants trees around school. On 19th March 2009 they worked on a major project to plant six large trees on the triangular green space next to their school at Rushby Street.

Air quality statistics for Fir Vale are very poor, while tree cover and the number of vital oxygen-producing trees is low compared to other areas of the city. Mature London Plane trees have been chosen for Rushby Street as they have a high capacity to filter pollution.

Fir Vale Student Galayd told the Messenger, “Its great, it makes the school look better. I’ve learned about the nutrients that trees need, and that this area needs trees to suck up the pollution and give out oxygen.”

Another student Abdi said, “Its been good, we’ve learned about how it will help the environment. Its easier with help from Wates, last time we did it all ourselves. When you look around there’s hardly any trees, and now this is a nice little area.”

Rachel Brown, Learning Mentor at Fir Vale School added, “The students have worked really hard today. I’m really proud of them. The digging has been difficult, as this is the site of the old Victorian school, and there’s a lot of rubble from when it was demolished.”

Dave Woodall, Fir Vale resident said, “At last something is being done on this green space. When I was part of Fir Vale Forum we always wanted to do something here. And now its happening.”

Cllr Ibrar Hussain added, “I’m pleased to be supporting Fir Vale School students. The benefits of these trees will be felt by the school and the local residents of Fir Vale for many years to come.”

The trees were sponsored by Wates Living Space, currently working on Decent Homes improvements in the area.

Their employees supported the tree planting by doing a good deal of digging!