TENISON Woods College students were given early insight into the forestry industry when they joined OneFortyOne Plantations (OFO) employees for a pine planting activity on Friday morning.
Children from Year 1 to 7 participated in National Schools Tree Day by visiting OFO’s 6 Mile forest site to help with the planting of around 4500 baby pine trees.
In addition to the fun activity, the students learnt about the importance of the forestry industry and how it has been a key part of the Green Triangle region for over 100 years.
OFO estate manager Andrew Matheson said the message they wanted to share was focused around the sustainability of the industry.
“Typically National Schools Tree Day would have students planting native trees, but we were keen to share the message OFO is a sustainable business, as are all the plantation industries in the region,” Mr Matheson said.
“We also wanted to share with the students our involvement with the community and what we provide through employment and also the amenity of the forest.”
Working with students as young as five, Mr Matheson welcomed the enthusiasm all the children demonstrated.
“We are finding children who are getting older and choosing their careers do not really understand what this industry offers,” he said.
“If we can get them on board early with a really positive experience today hopefully that sticks with them over the years and we could be considered part of their career path.”
Tenison Woods College sustainability coordinator Tom Linnell said the school was lucky to have a great relationship with OFO.
“This is a first for us and we are excited to see what shape it takes in the future,” Mr Linnell said.
“This ongoing relationship with OFO will hopefully allow us to integrate what they do across our region into our curriculum at school.”
As students planted trees on the empty site, there was a sense of excitement among the children about seeing the progress of the plantation in future.
“For some of these students who are in Year 1, if they are to come back here at different times up to Year 12, the trees will have not only outgrown them, but they will tower over the top of them,” Mr Linnell said.
“This is just the beginning and we thank OFO for allowing us to have this involvement as a school.”
