CRAVEN College welcomed MP Julian Smith to its Aireville Campus in Skipton to lend a hand in planting a tree for a project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen’s Green Canopy project - a unique tree planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee and focusing on planting sustainably. It encourages the planting of trees across the UK to create a legacy in honour of The Queen and to benefit future generations.

Being part of the Green Canopy project fits the college’s pledge to play its part in making the planet a more sustainable environment. The college is taking steps to build sustainability into its curriculum, its campuses and its community, and has pledged to be carbon net-zero by 2030 and carbon negative by 2040.

Lindsey Johnson, principal and chief executive of Craven College, said: “It’s an honour for the college to play its part in such a worthwhile project. Environmental issues are close to the heart of what we do and we are so pleased to be supported by our local MP Julian Smith, to mark our involvement in this initiative.”

Mx Johnson has recently been appointed as the further education member of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) - an alliance for sustainability in leadership in education.

The EAUC is the environmental and sustainability champion within further and higher education in the UK and Ireland. Its purpose is to increase awareness within the sector and address environmental issues both operationally, as businesses, and within the curriculum.

Mx Johnson added: “I am very much looking forward to representing further education and Craven College on the EAUC board. I am keen to drive forward the environmental agenda within education as a whole and influence policies and guidance at a strategic level.”