Carlyon Parish Council, together with Cornwall Council’s Forest for Cornwall team and pupils from Bishop Bronescombe School, celebrated International Day of Forests by planting a ‘mini forest’ at Tregrehan Mills.

A mini forest is around the size of a tennis court. It is a new approach to planting trees in smaller urban spaces. They are rich in biodiversity and can mature in three years. 

St Ives School is the site for the first mini forest for Cornwall. It has been developed with funding from the G7 Legacy Fund and the support of the Woodland Trust and Tree Investment Ltd.

The Tregrehan Mills mini forest also incorporates Carlyon Parish Council’s plans for a Forest School for Tregrehan Mills, which will provide an educational space for people to learn about nature over the coming years.

Cornwall councillor James Mustoe said: “It was great to join some Bishop Bronescombe pupils at Tregrehan Mills to help plant some trees.”

“Thanks to the Parish Council for leading on this, and to all involved for your work in making this project a reality.  It will be a brilliant use of this underutilised community space, for nature to thrive and for people of all ages to have a unique space for education now and in the future.”

Stewart Gynn, headteacher at Bishop Bronescombe School, said: “Environmental awareness is an integral part of our school curriculum and we were so pleased to be asked to be a part of this project. Mrs Hawk-Vango and the school Eco club particularly enjoyed planting the trees and will be interested observers in their growth.”