School children dip into Kent Year of Green Action

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Do something green in 2019. That was the message sent out by Sevenoaks Primary School pupils as they helped create a wildlife pond to mark the launch of Kent Year of Green Action.

Based on the government’s national Year of Green Action campaign, Kent Year of Green Action is an initiative of Kent County Council’s Kent Environment Strategy, which focusses on the environment, health and the economy.

The creation of the wildlife pond, complete with pond-dipping platform, is just one example of the wealth of fantastic Green Action activities taking place for people of all ages throughout 2019.

Special guests gathered at the new wildlife pond for the launch of Kent Year of Green Action

The idea behind the campaign is to encourage individuals, families, community groups and businesses to connect with their environment then help to protect and enhance it; these are the three themes of green action.

Staff and volunteers from North West Kent Countryside Partnership have spent the last few weeks working with the school to create not only a pond but also a pond-dipping platform, which will enable the children to take a closer look once the wildlife establishes itself.

Pupils were joined by Margaret Crabtree and other guests as they put the finishing touches to the pond

Special guests were invited to the school on Wednesday (February 6) to see the pond creation project in action, including Michael Payne, KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste, and Margaret Crabtree, KCC Member for Sevenoaks Town and Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance.

Mr Payne said: “Kent Year of Green Action supports the ambition of the Kent Environment Strategy, which is to make the most of the county’s unique and diverse environment. It also brings together the many Green Action initiatives that are already taking place across the county. This project is a brilliant example of green action and both the school children and the adult volunteers are having a wonderful time doing their bit for Kent’s natural environment and should be congratulated.

Children in Year 6 helped put plants around the edge of the pond at Sevenoaks Primary School

“Throughout 2019, Kent County Council will be encouraging individuals, families, communities and businesses to take part in Kent Year of Green Action, whether by getting more active outdoors, volunteering or switching to more sustainable behaviour in their daily lives.”

Mrs Crabtree received a request from the school for funding and was delighted to respond positively by providing the money for the project from her KCC Members’ Grant Fund. She said: “This project will make a real difference to the school and I look forward to seeing the wildlife take over the pond, and the children having a wonderful first-hand experience of nature for many years to come.”

It is hoped the pond will become a haven for wildlife once it is complete

The North West Kent Countryside Partnership is a not-for-profit organisation, which helps the environment and local community.  Sara Spellman from the partnership said: “Working with the school has been a real pleasure for both the school children and our volunteers. North West Kent Countryside Partnership works with schools, local community groups, parish and district councils and private landowners to help the environment and local community.

“Volunteers are vital to what we do, and the Kent Year of Green Action website brings together Countryside Partnership volunteering opportunities across the county, along with events at Country Parks and a wealth of activities from organisations including the Kent Wildlife Trust and many others.”

Sarah Ratcliffe from Sevenoaks Primary School said: “We are grateful to Mrs Crabtree for funding this project from her Members’ Grant Fund and we now have an exciting time coming up and expect a quick colonisation by frogs in the early spring.” Her colleague Kate Perkins added: “The children will be keeping a close eye on the pond as different types of wildlife establish themselves across the year. The pond will be a brilliant education resource for many years to come.”

 

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