Thornhill College creates Derry wildlife habitat

A local school is enhancing biodiversity and created a habitat for wildlife by planting 100 trees in its grounds with the help of a local supermarket.

Long’s SuperValu on Greenhaw Road is sponsoring the scheme at Thornhill College in Culmore.

Store manager Peter McBeth and colleague Catherine Logue visited the college to find out more about the project that will see a mix of oak, birch, rowan, hazel and hawthorn trees planted as part of a long-term environmental project.

The sponsorship is part of a sustainability initiative from retail brands SuperValu and Centra, part of the Musgrave Group, which recently announced they will plant 50,000 trees in Northern Ireland over ten years.

Partnering with Trees on the Land – a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation – the convenience retailers have already sponsored the planting of 5,000 native trees this year in locations across Northern Ireland, including at Thornhill College.

Mr McBeth said: “At SuperValu we believe in sustainability and that small changes can have a big impact. We are very pleased to sponsor the planting of 100 trees at Thornhill College and it was a pleasure to visit the school and hear more about the project.”

College principal Sharon Mallett, said:  “We have an active eco-team at our school, and we are committed to making a difference and helping the environment.

In Pictures: St Patrick's Day brings joy and excitement to Derry Spring Carnival

Scenes from the parade captured by Derry News photographer as thousands lined the streets to celebrate

“This project will help improve biodiversity on our school grounds and we would like to thank SuperValu and Trees on the Land for their support.”

SuperValu Greenhaw Road store manager Peter McBeth (left) and staff member Catherine Logue (right) visiting pupils at Thornhill College, who have received 100 trees, to hear more about their project.

A commitment to planting 50,000 trees is one in a list of steps being taken by SuperValu and Centra to make their stores and communities more sustainable, and each month, the brands will spotlight the tangible steps they are taking to become more sustainable, while encouraging shoppers to play their part.