A landmark tree planting initiative has been extended to schools across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Council area.

Schools are marking the beginning of 2023 by planting an oak tree in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II's 'Queen's Green Canopy' project. Beginning last year as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubile, this initiative will now include the autumn-to-spring tree-planting season.

Almost 23 schools took the opportunity to plant an oak tree on their school premises. The Queen's Green Canopy project has already seen hundreds of trees planted throughout the Borough, which also accumulates towards the Council's ambitious One Million Trees initiative.  

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The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross said: "As we move into 2023, we are remembering the late Queen Elizabeth II by planting an oak tree in special places as part of her legacy, the Queen's Green Canopy programme. 

"It's great to get our local school children involved as we create long-lasting memories and it builds on their understanding of creating a greener, more eco-friendly environment for them and our future generations.

"A few weeks ago I was privileged to meet Stewart Hood, a 77-year-old who planted 20,000 trees on his land in Randalstown and on Steeple Road, Antrim. This is a phenomenal initiative and hopefully, this will inspire our local school children to continue to plant trees if they get the opportunity."