Let there be more fruit trees in Hungarian schools! (x)

Tree planting is a long-term investment

Between 2001 and 2021, 228,000 hectares of natural forest disappeared from the territory of Hungary, [1] therefore afforestation plays a particularly important role in our country. The environmental benefits of trees do not stop at their ability to produce oxygen: they play a significant role in creating better air quality, in regulating the temperature of their environment, they perform a noise and soil protection function, and they provide a natural habitat for many plant and animal species. In addition, the protection and planting of historic Hungarian fruit tree varieties also represents gene preservation and variety maintenance value. Landscape types have generally adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of the given area over time, so they require much less maintenance and chemical intervention.

Planting trees is the step in the fight against climate change, which will contribute to better air quality years from now with the growth of trees, so it is important to raise the future generation in such a spirit that protecting and caring for the environment is a matter of course for them. During their assimilation processes, trees not only produce oxygen, but process it, and during their growth, they also bind carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, which can significantly contribute to better air quality in urban environments.

Social attitude formation through school tree planting and care

P&G's program this year supports the fruit tree planting tender of the Iskolakertekért Foundation, the aim of which is to draw attention to the role of trees in improving air quality through school tree planting and care activities. Since 2015, the School Garden Foundation has been organizing, operating and coordinating the School Garden network, which currently has 260 members in the Hungarian-inhabited areas of Hungary and the Carpathian Basin. The aim of the foundation is to spread and make school gardens accessible as widely as possible, as arenas for practicing sustainability and environmental awareness, and through them for the widest possible segments of society.

Their fruit tree planting program announced for elementary school students in the spring of 2023 not only draws children's attention to the role of trees in improving air quality, expands children's knowledge of horticulture, encourages self-care and greens schools. In the framework of the program min. 100 old Hungarian apple trees - typical of the given landscape unit - and min. Schools can apply for 100 berry bushes/vines . For the planting and care process, the children receive a planting package and a collection of tasks.

Let's plant better air, teach our children!

Between April 26 and June 30, 2023, Procter&Gamble Hungary for P&G products purchased during this period (Ariel, Lenor, Jar, Pampers, blend-a-med, blend-a-dent, Naturella , Always, Discreet, Pantene, Head&Shoulders, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Mr. Proper, Gillette, Ambi Pur, Old Spice, Tampax, Bear Fruits, Oral-B, Swiffer) supports the fruit tree planting program of the School Gardens Foundation. More information about participating stores and promotional periods can be found on the program's website .

You can vote too!

The first 20 winning institutions will be selected by voting on the website www.ultessunkjobblevegot.hu between May 25 and June 30, 2023. After simple registration on the site, anyone can vote once for an institution of their choice from among the schools applying for the program displayed on the interface.

[1] https://tinyurl.hu/aeaa

(Source: Editorial)