Grammar School gets a biodiversity area

Sixth form students studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma took a morning out of lessons to plant 45 trees on the school field to encourage new species and increase the school’s biodiversity.

The Queen’s Green Canopy scheme encouraged people to plant a tree for the Jubilee, but was extended at the end of 2022 for trees to be planted in her memory.

‘Guernsey Trees for Life have given us willow and alder trees, because they absolutely love water and this particular area is quite boggy, so hopefully they will thrive here,’ said teacher Ashly Ward, who organised the initiative.

‘We hope that students will gravitate down here more in their lunchtimes for a bit of extra shade from the trees and use it as a chilled space.’

The playing field is particularly wet and so is not used for sports, but at teachers’ request has been left unmowed to encourage more wildlife habitats.

Students planting the trees said that they were keen to return to the school in several years to see how the area had progressed.

‘It’s a nice feeling to be able to help the environment and then hopefully we can come back in a couple of years to see how they’ve grown and see the difference that we’ve made,’ said Olivia Cotterill, 17.

She is studying geography as part of her course along with friend Mali Smith, 17, who is hoping to focus part of her studies on the island’s biodiversity and species.

‘I’ve just started to look into invasive species in Guernsey and hope to do my extended essay on an invasive species and the impact it has,’ said Mali.

Maddy Russell and Joni Lowe, both 17, had planted three trees during the exercise and were looking forward to seeing an improvement in the area.

They said that it was nice to spend part of their day outside of the classroom in the fresh air and do something positive with that time.

‘This will be good for raising awareness of conservation, combatting issues like climate change and taking responsibility in the local community,’ said head of geography and environmental science Karl Moherndl.

‘We hope there will be an increase in biodiversity in this area and create a space where there’s no mowing going on – it’s become our little meadow.’