08 February 2008 - Minister joins children in the magic of trees

The Minister participated in workshops with P7 pupils from St Theresa’s Primary School, Omagh; Spires Integrated Primary School, Magherafelt and Ballytrea Primary School, Stewartstown. Activities included music, poetry and sculpture. The conference, which has been running all week at Loughry College, aims to give every child the chance to plant a tree and get close to nature. It has been made possible in Northern Ireland through funding from Environment and Heritage Service.

The Minister praised the children for taking a practical and action-oriented commitment to a better environment. She said: “This project has resulted in almost 200,000 trees being planted in Northern Ireland over the last three years creating 178 acres of native woodland which provides new habitats for wildlife. It is a living example of increasing our biodiversity.

“What excites me most however is the fact that over 41,000 people have been involved in this campaign of whom the vast majority are children like you. You are the custodians of these woodlands and it is through your efforts that they will continue to grow and flourish.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Woodland Trust has successfully completed three years of Tree For All.
2. This has resulted in the planting of almost 200,000 trees throughout the Province. It has involved over 41,000 people, mostly children and has resulted in the creation of 178 acres of new woodland.
3. This special week long event will take place from Monday 4 to Friday 8 February at Loughry College, near Cookstown.
4. It offers over 450 children from 14 Eco-Schools and one school interested in becoming an Eco-School a wonderful opportunity to discover and learn about trees and woodland, through a series of indoor and outdoor woodland-linked activities.
5. Tree For All in Northern Ireland has been made possible thanks to funding from Environment and Heritage Service.
6. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.