A cleaner Bermuda is the best way for everyone - 36 primary school students have learned.

The children from Francis Patton primary school teamed up with staff from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Green Team to help the Island's environment.

Together they descended on Shelly Bay Park to pick up trash yesterday and afterwards Education Minister Randolph Horton and acting Environment Minister Derrick Burgess commemorated the event, with a tree-planting ceremony on the school grounds.

The Ministry of Environment donated the Bermuda cedar tree, which stands around four feet, on the school's lower field.

The idea to take part came when the five-year-old students were learning about waste reduction and science.

Teacher Jeneane Doughty, whose husband works for the hotel and a is Green Team member, came up with the initiative.

Mr. Horton said: "Education is about life. What we see here today is young people learning how to be involved in the community.

"They are learning the importance of the environment and why having a clean environment is important.

"This helps to set good examples for young people and if they continue that through, the impact will result in a cleaner Bermuda.

Jon Crellin, general manager of Fairmont Hamilton, said the school partnership helped to foster relations with the community as well as re-affirm the company's pro-environmental stance.

Started in 1999, the hotel's "Green" agenda was founded with the goal of giving back to its community by improving the environment and preserving open space.

Mr. Crellin added: "The school partnership along with our Green Team, puts into action one of our core values, to be good environmental stewards."

School Principal Gloria Martin was very pleased with the effort that gave students a more practical learning experience rather than just a class-room lecture.

She said: "Our primary one students were following the science and social studies curriculum which is on Bermuda's environment.

"The reason why we chose Shelly Bay Park was because of its close proximity to our school and because it is used quite frequently in the community.

"It's really important that the kids understand that we only have one earth and how crucial it is to nurture and care for it."

Following the ceremony, the students were treated to a complementary lunch at the Fairmont Hamilton.