FORGET the Eden project, Woodbridge School is giving the Cornwall conservationists a run for their money by building their very own rainforests.They may not actually be doing any planting but the effects of what they are producing will hopefully be as far reaching.
By Jessica Nicholls
FORGET the Eden project, Woodbridge School is giving the Cornwall conservationists a run for their money by building their very own rainforests.
They may not actually be doing any planting but the effects of what they are producing will hopefully be as far reaching.
The Burkitt Road school has become involved in the Festival of ConScience and in July will see 13,700 primary school pupils come through the doors to learn about the environment.
The three-day exhibition will show the youngsters the importance of the rainforests and the effect they have on the world.
Primary school pupils from Suffolk, South Norfolk and North Essex will also get the chance to feel like they are actually walking in an ocean thanks to some hi-tech equipment.
Woodland walks will also be included and the things that all youngsters love – bugs and beetles.
The rainforest is set to be built in the huge dome shaped building in the school grounds.
John Curtin is strategic business manager at the school and searched the country for a firm that could build the rainforest.
He eventually found exactly what he wanted just up the road in Framlingham at a firm called Gofer.
Mr Curtin believes it is extremely important to educate youngsters of primary school age about the future of the environment.
He said: "It is absolutely vital that we educate these young people.
"Because we are losing more than 100,000 acres of rainforest every day, by the time these children reach 45-years-old there will be none left."
But the venture is costing a huge amount of money and the school must raise £160,000.
Around half of that has already been achieved but there is still a lot to go and Mr Curtin is hoping to get grants or donations from the community.
The event is completely free for the youngsters to enable everyone to go and transport alone is costing them £26,000.
Anyone who can help with funding the project should call Mr Curtin on 01394 384308.
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