IN PICTURES: Four little woodlands planted at Laois schools

Schoolchildren and teachers in Laois have helped lower carbon footprints and beautified their surroundings with nature, by planting 800 native trees this winter.

Three Laois primary schools and Portlaoise Education Centre have been chosen by Laois County Council and LEAF Ireland to get four Na Coillte Beaga (little woodlands).

The schools are all in Portlaoise, which has been designated a Decarbonisation Zone by Government. More below photos.

The little woodlands will provide outdoor living classrooms, a place where staff and students can connect with biodiversity.

They are on the Summerhill campus serving the three schools of Educate Together NS, Maryborough NS and Gaelscoil Phort Laoise, as well as Scoil Bhride NS and Holy Family Senior School.

The An Choill Bheag initiative involves the students in the entire process, the planning, the planting and the maintenance.

Staff and students are encouraged to connect with woodland culture and biodiversity to understand their benefits to society, climate change, biodiversity and their local economy.

Suzanne Dempsey is with Laois County Council.

"We are really excited to see the four An Choill Bheag grow and develop over the next few years along with the pupils’ knowledge of trees and biodiversity through the education programme with LEAF. This project would not be possible without the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund," she said.

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An Choill Bheag (AnCB) is a long-term educational programme, an initiative of LEAF Ireland and the EEU of An Taisce. The aim is to create small, dense native woodland habitats for biodiversity and an educational and recreational resource for the whole school community to enjoy.

The four projects are being funded by Laois County Council, and delivered by the staff of LEAF Ireland and the Environmental Education Unit (EEU) of An Taisce.