Students, teachers and school staff have teamed up with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to help protect and restore the sand dunes along the Fylde coast by planting recycled Christmas trees in a unique and impactful conservation project.
The annual Christmas Tree Planting Event took place at North Beach, St Anne’s, where volunteers worked together to help strengthen the coastline’s natural defences. This initiative forms part of the Fylde Sand Dunes Project, a long-running effort to conserve the area’s delicate dune ecosystem and improve its effectiveness as a soft sea defence.
Over recent decades, more than 80 % of the Fylde Coast’s sand dunes have been lost due to coastal development. To help rebuild these vital habitats, old Christmas trees collected from households across the region are strategically placed in front of existing dunes. As coastal winds blow through the branches, sand becomes trapped around the trees and gradually helps to form new dunes, increasing both habitat space for wildlife and natural protection against flooding.
Pupils and staff rolled up their sleeves, spades and rakes in hand helping bury trees in trenches and secure them at angled positions to maximise their effectiveness. The day combined practical conservation, teamwork and outdoor learning, giving students valuable insight into environmental stewardship while making a tangible contribution to their local landscape.
