wild.

But the pupils did not stage a riot. They took to the great outdoors to improve their schools' environments with a range of activities like tree-planting and gardening.

The environmental clean-up involved youngsters from eight primary and pre-schools.

And at Francis Patton Primary School, Minister of the Environment Arthur Hodgson yesterday described the kids' efforts as "magnificent''.

Mr. Hodgson said: "These are the kinds of initiatives which will insure the quality of life of Bermuda is not diminished.'' And he expressed his appreciation that "schools have taken part in it''.

The schools were invited to take part in The National School Grounds Week -- the brainchild of the Learning Through Landscapes Bermuda.

Organisers said the aim of the event was to raise the awareness of the importance to education of good school grounds.

And it also promoted the environment and social activities for the students.

Events planned included tree planting, nature walks, gardening, storytelling, picnics and other environmental activities.

The Minister was at the school to witness the schools research into trees.

And 11-year-old Francis Patton pupil Rodney Trott demonstrated his knowledge of nature.

He said: "I learned that trees are good because they help make oxygen, and help take care of carbon dioxide.'' And classmate Chantel Ingemann, also 11, said: "Bermuda is small enough to keep tidy and we should have respect for our schools.'' Earlier, pupils at Somerset Primary School had a scavenger hunt to find natural examples which matched a 20-point checklist.

Students will have to write a poem using the scavenger checklist.

Somerset pupil eight-year-old Asia Wilson said: "You shouldn't mess with nature's creations.'' A reaction shared by her fellow classmate nine-year-old Cynthia Bean who said: "We should take good care of nature so that we won't be an endangered species.''