Cork County Council has announced a new tree planting initiative with schools in North Cork.

The project, which is being launched in partnership with nature conservation organisation, Biodiversity in Schools, will see native trees and hedgerows planted on school grounds, helping to increase biodiversity while also engaging students in positive, hands-on climate action.

The initiative is being introduced at schools in Macroom, which is the county’s first decarbonising zone.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley said this partnership is “a wonderful example of how climate action can be delivered at a local level while engaging and educating our young people”.

“Tree-planting projects like this benefit biodiversity in the long term and improve school environments,” Ms Linehan Foley said.

Biodiversity in Schools aims to work with children of all ages throughout Ireland to increase positive engagement with nature via educational projects, competitions and direct action.