A group of school children from Wimborne, Dorset, have had the chance to visit a National Trust property in Kingston Lacey, as part of Compost Awareness Week 2007.

It was there that they joined representatives from New Earth Solutions to learn about how their own actions have an impact on climate change. Around 40 children from local schools attended the event, which included workshops and discussions about the future of the natural world. Despite relentless rain, the day culminated in each child planting and labelling a Field Maple seedling, which they will return to visit next year when they are planted outside - the idea being that this will encourage children to think about the long-term effects of their actions upon the environment. By choosing an iconic West Country tree that can last for hundreds of years, the organisers hope to help children understand a worldwide problem through their own local landscape, as Peter Mills, New Earth Solutions Contracts Director describes: "It is...imperative to encourage young people to consider where their household waste goes beyond the bin liner, and ultimately reinforce how small actions can reduce the impact of climate change for future generations."

Organisers also wanted to educate children about the link between historic buildings and landscapes and sustainability, as well as teach them how organic waste is reduced to compost and the benefits this has upon the earth, as Mills comments: "The diversion of waste from landfill is inextricably connected to the safeguarding and protection of our historic buildings, countryside and quality of life."

The event was organised by New Earth Solutions, a Wimborne based waste management organisation, in partnership with the National Trust. As well as recycling and composting, the firm also deals with biological waste and helps reduce black-bag waste destined for landfill by recycling it. They have received much acclaim for their work, both locally and internationally, having recently been listed twelfth on the CNBC European Business top 50 list of Low Carbon Pioneers for 2007.