Many Anglesey schools have seen their green spaces and gardens upgraded as part of a campaign to improve biodiversity.

Staff and pupils have been provided with gardening tools and soil so that they have a chance to start planting their own vegetables and wildflowers.

The project is led by the Council’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Team and has been funded through a £11,000 grant awarded by Natural Resources Wales.

The school garden project supports the aims and objectives set out in the Council’s Biodiversity Plan to help tackle climate change.

Raised planting beds, constructed by staff and volunteers from Canolfan Byron, have been provided to many primary and secondary schools across the Island. A total of 48 locally sourced fruit trees have been planted in 20 schools.

AONB Community Warden, Joseff Davies, said, “It was fantastic to be able to provide schools across the island with this new equipment. It has given them the opportunity to begin to transform their garden space.”

He added, “The school garden project is also allowing us to educate school children about biodiversity’s importance to the climate and the benefits growing your own food has in terms of developing self-sustainability."

The soil and fruit trees and soil were purchased from local businesses, Huws Gray and Ian Sturrock and Sons respectively.

The project has been welcomed by the Council’s Executive portfolio holders for Education, Cllr Ieuan Williams; Climate Change, Cllr Nicola Roberts; and Economic Development, Cllr Carwyn Jones.

Speaking on their behalf, Cllr Nicola Roberts, said, “This is a fantastic project which again highlights our commitment to biodiversity and tackling climate change. I would like to thank all the local schools, teachers and pupils for their support and our AONB Team for securing this important grant.”

She added, “Hopefully, we will be able to secure more funding in the future to enable more schools to benefit from improved green spaces.”

Ends 10 June 2022