Tree Week, run by the Tree Council, marks the start of the tree planting season. It is an annual celebration of trees and woods and this year runs from 21 November to 2 December.
Arlene Foster said: “I regard National Tree Week as an important event which will benefit biodiversity. By helping everyone to appreciate and to understand the enormous variety of life around us we can enrich all our lives. That is why tree planting also forms part of Environment and Heritage Service’s “It’s in our Nature” campaign.
Patrick Cregg, the Woodland Trust’s operations director said: “We are asking everyone, adults and children, to make a point of doing their bit for National Tree Week by simply planting a tree. Tree planting is a fun and easy way to do something really positive for the local environment, and when carried out as part of a large, collective movement it really can change landscapes.”
Thousands of adults and children across Northern Ireland have already been taking part in tree planting through the Woodland Trust’s “ Tree For All “ campaign. Supported by the Environment and Heritage Service, “Tree For All” aims to give every child the chance to plant a tree and to inspire children with a real love of nature. The campaign has an ambitious target to plant 12 million trees throughout the UK, with half a million targeted for Northern Ireland.
There are a number of ways to take part :
Schools and youth groups can apply for a special, free consignment of 30 native trees for planting in their school or community grounds. Details online at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/hedge ;
Community groups can apply for a grant of up to £100 towards the cost of a tree planting event this winter. For further information visit www.treeforall.org.uk/JoinIn ;
People can bring the wonders of woodland to their own back gardens by simply planting a native tree or shrub. They will not only enhance the beauty of their home, but will create a much needed home for wildlife too. People can visit their local nursery or purchase trees online at www.nativetreeshop.com ;
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk ;
“ It’s in our nature “ : EHS and the Woodland Trust are working together as part of the ‘It’s in our nature’, a major new campaign to raise the public’s awareness of our local Biodiversity in Northern Ireland. The campaign aims to help everyone understand and enjoy the whole variety of life around us – our Biodiversity. Any material bearing the campaign’s distinctive ‘B’ logo will provide information relevant to this campaign and to Biodiversity issues here. More information on www.biodiversityni.com or contact the campaign team on (028) 9039 5500.
Details for tree planting photo-opportunity to launch National Tree Week
School children will join the tree planting party with Patrick Cregg at Hillview, Enniskillen (which is on the A32 from Enniskillen signposted to Irvinestown), and a mile and a half out of town there is a small car park on the left immediately after Race Course Lough. The tree planting site is less than five minutes walk from here.
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