This month, community groups and school children throughout the UK are donning welly boots to plant a phenomenal half a million freetrees from the Woodland Trust. And almost 23,000 of the trees are set to grace the Northern Ireland landscape.
The tree-planting activities are helping to kick-start National Tree Week. Run by the Tree Council, it’s an annual celebration of trees and woods, and this year runs from 23 November to 1 December.
Horticulturist Gareth Austin is supporting the initiative and is asking local youth and community groups, and primary and secondary schools to play a part. The lecturer and well-known voice of gardening on Radio Foyle enthuses: “It’s heartening to see schools and community groups right across Northern Ireland rolling up their sleeves to plant trees this November.
“You’re not too late to make the most of this fantastic offer. Schools and groups who have missed out this month can apply online now for a free consignment of trees to be delivered next March.
“It’s a great opportunity to do something positive and lasting for the local landscape; and it’s a chance for children to really get to grips with nature. In just ten years, the trees planted now will be taller than the average person. They’ll enhance the areas where we live and work, and will provide much-needed habitats for our precious wildlife.”
Community groups and youth groups can choose between packs of 30, 105 or 420 saplings, depending on how much space they have to plant. There are different mixes of species to choose from too, including packs themed for year-round colour and wildlife.
Schools are automatically eligible for free packs of 30 trees, but can apply to be considered for the medium and large packs.
Find out more and apply online now at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetreesand prepare to get planting next March.
The tree packs have been generously funded by lead partners IKEA FAMILY and Biffa Award, with support from Nicky and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Gareth Austin is a Community focused Horticulturist based in Derry-Londonderry and voice of Gardening on the Mark Patterson Show on BBC Radio Foyle. Gareth specialises in Community horticulture, offering a wide range of events, programmes and acitivity on engaging people in the exciting world of Horticulture. Gareth lectures in Horticulture in the North West Regional College and offers school horticulture programs through the Western Education + Library Board. Gareth is passionate about changing land-use to a more positive use, urban food production and showcasing the flora of county Derry through the City of Horti-Culture programme of events.
Source: Source: Gareth Austin Horticultural & Media Services – Charity Marks National Tree Week with the Gift of Free Trees
