Roundel scheme helps city children connect with nature on farms

ACCLAIMED children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo, inset, has been involved in a real-life story of children, farming and nature on a farm in Devon.

The Woodland Trust is working with Farms for City Children, a charity founded by Sir Michael and his wife, Clare, on a unique ‘roundel’ scheme connecting city children with nature and farming. The roundels are described as being like “little powerful pockets of nature – stepping stones of biodiversity” that are dotted across a field. They are temporary enclosures containing trees and shrubs that will, in time, allow cattle access to forage and browse, while also finding shelter, created around a central tree which will develop into a broad, open-crowned feature of the farm over time.

Each will be adopted, planted and cared for by a visiting school, and the hope is that the children will feel connected to a piece of natural habitat of their own making throughout their adult life and go on to inspire other children with their story.

War Horse author Sir Michael said: “To walk through a wood, to listen and to see the wind in the trees, to touch the bark of a tree, and to plant a tree, is to join hands with nature, to feel a deep sense of belonging. Many of the 100,000 city children who have come for a week of farming, of living in the countryside, have felt for the first time that precious connection between us and the world about us.

“Once felt, it is never forgotten. A seed is planted.”

Eleanor Lewis, outreach manager at the Woodland Trust, which provided the trees, said: “This is a really special project. Even though we increasingly know the vital role trees and shrubs play for both habitat and animal welfare, it can be tricky to integrate them into farming systems.

“Rather than planting isolated trees which is expensive due to the protective fencing, by grouping trees and shrubs roundels create a more immediate canopy, for a significantly lower price per tree, whilst also providing numerous benefits including shade, shelter and food.”

Donna Marie Edmonds, chief executive of Farms for City Children, said: “This is something very tangible for a young person. To know that they are doing good for their planet, for the farm, for the animals, for the nature that exists all around, and for the future generations of children who will make a visit to the charity from that same school community – that is something very special. You are helping us to create legacy impact. ”

Planting started at Nethercott Farm, Winkleigh, in January. Adam Bratt, farm operations manager, said: “I am hopeful that establishing trees (and specifically wood pasture habitat) on our farm will benefit our livestock, local biodiversity and have a lasting impact on our visiting young people.

“Working with Mick from the Woodland Trust and the Trees for Your Farm project team has given us the technical and financial support to trial an innovative way of establishing trees, and we are excited to see the benefits of this project develop over time.”