Bridgwater & Taunton College students studying Countryside Management, Horticulture and Arboriculture have planted over 2,000 native trees and hedging on the College farm as part of the Water Framework Directive.

The project has been funded and supported by the Environment Agency with additional funding from the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods Grant. A group of Land Management students from Belgium, who were visiting the UK on an Erasmus exchange programme, worked alongside the College students on the project over a number of days.

Planting the trees forms part of water improvement strategies under the Directive, which include planting buffer strips of trees to intercept chemicals prior to them entering water courses.

Alan Sinclair, Course Leader for Countryside Management, said, 

“These practical sessions contributed directly to assessment and training for our students, while delivering positive environmental improvements to the College farm and wider landscape. Working with the Environment Agency and the visiting Belgian students provided a positive experience for all the student groups and demonstrated what real team work and co-operation can achieve.”

For more information about Land-based courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk