We only have one Earth, and it is our duty to protect it.

Primary school pupils across the county have been doing their bit to preserve Mother Nature's beauty by getting adults to leave the car at home and choosing to walk to school instead.

This year so far our walkers have removed more than 180,000 school run journeys from Kent's roads, easing congestion, improving child safety, and helping to protect the environment in the process.

Last academic year, KM Walk to School initiatives which include Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug, Walking Bus and Green Footsteps reduced harmful carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to 10 times the weight of Big Ben and removed more than a quarter million car journeys.

Schools are always welcome to get involved with the services which provide incentives to keep children engaged with their walking including stickers, trophies and prizes such as ice skating tickets. To join, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk

Children partaking in the green travel schemes benefit from a healthier, more active lifestyle as well as gaining vital road safety skills, whilst schools enjoy safer gates and significantly lower levels of traffic, plus reductions in air and noise pollution.

Simon Dolby, chief executive at the KM Charity Team which organises KM Walk to School, said: “Earth Day offers us all the chance to come together and recognise just how important the place we call home truly is. We have always been passionate about protecting and preserving the environment, and this national holiday serves as the perfect opportunity to promote the good work of our hard-working schools involved with KM Walk to School initiatives."

He added: "We are always on the lookout for new recruits so if your school wishes to become an advocate for green travel, please get in contact."

KM Walk to School is led by a collective partnership including Kent County Council, Medway Council and the KM Group. Organisations supporting the services include Specsavers, Bel UK, Safer Kent, Eurostar, Golding Homes, Southern Water, Circle Housing, Leeds Castle, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Orbit South, Whitefriars Canterbury, Maidstone Council, Ashford Borough Council, and Bexley Council.

The partnership operates green travel initiatives for schools including parent-led walking buses, Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug and Green Footsteps.

For more information, visit the website or contact the KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291