National Tree Week takes root in Clare

SHANNON, Ireland - Feb. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Clare County Council will host a number of initiatives to mark National Tree Week 2014 (Seachtain Náisiúnta na gCrann 2014) from 2-8 March, 2014.

The theme this year is ‘The Sound of Trees - Fuaim Na gCrann’ and once again, Clare County Council and the Tree Council of Ireland are providing native tree species to many community groups around the county.

The beginning of National Tree Week will be marked in Shannon this year and ties in with the award winning Shannon Town Green Infrastructure Plan. A plant-a-thon will take place in the area known locally as the Shannon Wetlands this Sunday (2nd March) from 2pm.

A wide range of groups are lending their support to the plant-a-thon including Dúchas na Sionna, Shannon Tidy Towns and the Cubs, Beavers and the Scouts movement, who are celebrating 50 years in Shannon this year.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mayor of Shannon Cllr. Greg Duff urged members of the public to come along to this Sunday’s plant-a-thon, while acknowledging local groups.

Mayor Duff continued: “Trees play many important roles in our environment and they also enhance our villages, towns and our homes by providing places of refuge and beauty.  It’s a good time of year to get the wellies on and get planting those trees, so I would like to invite everyone in the wider Shannon area to come along this Sunday. There are so many groups active in Shannon doing incredible work, and we should support them at every opportunity. There will be some games and colouring sheets available for children at the event. The meeting point will be between the playground and the Gaelscoil.”

Martina Harrison, Group Leader of Cubs, Beavers and Scouts in Shannon explained: “The cubs, beavers and scouts are celebrating 50 years in existence in Shannon and this plant-a-thon is an ideal way to mark this landmark.  Respect for the environment and special interest badges for community work feature highly in the ethos of the cubs/beavers/scouts movement. We are delighted to lend our support along with other groups in what promises to be a fun day for all".

Meanwhile, Clare County Council and the Tree Council of Ireland are providing native tree species to many community groups around the county who have expressed an interest in planting native trees in public areas. Groups around the county that are interested should contact Mairead Griffin (065 6846386) by this Friday (28 February).  Trees should be collected between Mon-Wed (3-5 March) from the Gardening Section at Cois na hAbhna in Ennis between 9am-1pm and 2-4pm.  It will be necessary to have a trailer to transport trees.

Commenting on National Tree Week, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Joe Arkins stated: “National Tree Week presents an ideal opportunity to community groups, schools, families and many others all over Clare to enhance the local landscape by planting trees.  In light of the recent damaging storms that have affected the county, Tree Week should also serve as a reminder to landowners to inspect any trees on their property so as to ensure they have not been compromised by the recent strong winds.”

According to Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer: “Trees are important for all sorts of reasons: they are enhance biodiversity, they are good for our social well being and they can assist in reducing our carbon footprint by encouraging behavioural change as well as acting as carbon sinks. Trees take a long time to grow, so it is important that we replace them over time.  Suitable site and species selection are important factors to consider before you plant. It is really encouraging that these young people are getting involved in tree planting events such as this. By developing a sense of pride in our place, we develop a respect for our environment that will stay with us for life".

Further information on National Tree Week 2014 is available from www.treecouncil.ie.