In March 2026, OASES worked with four local schools and groups to plant trees at Emmaus Youth Village near Consett.
Funded by North East Community Forest and in partnership with Microsite, OASES and the schools have helped to plant a 8.24 hectare woodland. In total the project has planted 7,500 trees.
We planted trees with with a total of 100 young people from St Pius Xth Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School, and Emmaus Village service users. As well as planting a range of native whips, We planted two larger fruit trees which will form part of a small orchard on the site.
Pupils learned why planting trees is so important to our planet, the positive impact on wildlife and human wellbeing before donning their gloves and boots and planting the trees.
In September 2026, Microsite organised a family celebration event. Families were invited to take part in environmental activities, crafts, talks and trails including aforest bathing taster, archery, axe throwing, making clay creatures, a green man nature trail, a nature patchwork, and more. Click here to see the video summary of the event.
