8,000 trees to be planted in borough
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Chairperson of the Parks Committee Alderman May Beattie, Downshire pupils and officials pictured at the tree planting last week at the Downshire High School. GC4851
NATIONAL Tree Week was celebrated in Carrickfergus last week with the announcement that 8000 trees will be planted in the borough this winter.
At the launch of National Tree Week at Downshire School on Friday Alderman May Beattie, chair of the Parks Committee, called on residents of the borough to join in the tree planting effort and push Northern Ireland up the tree planting league.
Alderman Beattie said a number of events were planned in the borough which would let members of the public participate in the tree planting effort.
She said: "Carrickfergus Borough Council is calling on everyone to 'Give it some Welly' and help plant one of the 8,000 trees that will be planted in the borough this planting season. Northern Ireland is languishing at the bottom of the European tree league.
“We have less woodland than almost any other country, with woods here covering a mere six per cent of the landscape, compared to the European average of 44 per cent."
National Tree Week is an annual event that launches the winter tree-planting season. Every year millions of trees are planted across the UK as part of the initiative. Over the next few years, National Tree Week will be focussing on the overall theme, 'Trees Matter - Plant Them'.
“Planting a tree is an easy and an enjoyable way to work together to improve the local environment and strengthen communities. It is also a great way to learn about the environment and is linked to the national schools curriculum," said Mrs Beattie.
"There are many reasons why trees matter and why everyone should play a part in planting new ones. For example, they create attractive places to live, work and relax, help to regenerate neglected land, attract more wildlife into the area and bring jobs and opportunities for sustainable development. They are also a source of renewable fuel and useful, home-grown products."
"Planting a tree is a tremendously positive thing to do and is great fun, even in the depths of winter. There are plenty of reasons to get planting - it's great exercise, children love it, and you'll be making a valuable contribution to creating wonderful community woods within our Borough. We'll provide the tools and trees - so just turn up with friends, family and bags of enthusiasm to one of the events planed over the planting period."
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council, said: "Trees and woodland should be taken far more seriously, because as well as providing a aesthetically pleasant environment, urban forests can cheaply and easily improve air quality and biodiversity, lessen soil erosion and flood damage and improve community spirit, health and fitness. Trees have a vital role to play in our modern urban environment, urban woodland filters out levels of ambient pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide by up to 45%."
Tree planting events in Carrickfergus Borough will take place on Friday 28 December at 2.30pm at Whitehead Recreation Grounds, Chester Avenue, Carrickfergus.
There will be more tree planting at Eden Allotments on Friday 28 December at 11.30am when traditional Irish apple varieties and other fruit trees will be planted. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear and please bring waterproofs. Everyone is welcome. For further Information telephone 028 93358000. On Thursday 11 December at 7.30 pm at St Colemans Church Hall, Larne Road, Carrickfergus, Patrick Cregg, Director of the Woodland Trust (NI) will deliver the talk 'Ancient Woodland Treasures Lost and Found'. Everyone is welcome.
