Seachtain Náisiúnta na gCrann 2011 – 6-12 Márta
‘The Year of the Forest – Celebrating forests for People’
‘Bliain na Foraoise – ag ceiliúradh Foraoiseacha don Phobal’
National Tree Week will be held this year from 6-12 March 2011 and the theme is as above.
The aim of National Tree Week is to promote an awareness about trees and their care, particularly among children in National School so that the coming generations respect trees.
The Official Opening of National Tree Week in South Dublin County Council will by held in St. Dominic’s National School, Tallaght, St. Dominic’s Terrace (off Old Bawn Road and Mountain Park) on Monday 7th March at 11am. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Cathal King, will plant two trees with the children from 3rd class and address the school children about the value of trees generally. The Parks Department staff will look at some trees in the school grounds, teaching the children to identify them.
The Parks Department has prepared a programme of thirteen planting events in schools around the county. The events are designed to be fun and informative with the children involved in planting the trees with Council staff on hand to demonstrate how to plant trees correctly and to help the children learn how to identify the different types of trees being planted.
Despite significant planting programmes in recent years, Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% of the country planted with trees compared to the European average of 40% approximately. Tree in cities, gardens, parks and woodlands are important carbon sinks and play a significant role in combating climate change.
Tree Week 2011 is an invitation to the public to focus on the harmony and pleasure that trees and wood bring to our lives and encourages people to contribute to creative projects in whatever way they can.
Why plant more trees?
- The forest industry is worth €1.65 billion annually.
- It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are employed in the industry mainly in rural Ireland.
- More than 17,000 farmers own and manage farm woodlands.
- Forests absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
- The non timber benefits of forestry include bio-diversity, carbon sequestration, wood biomass energy and recreation.
- Ireland’s forests provide an opportunity to conserve bio-diversity at local and national level.
- Ireland’s forests provide a potential for wood to displace fossil fuels.
- Over 20 million visits are made annually to Irish forests for recreation.
- Over 200,000 people use forest trails for exercise.
- Trekking through forests is an important aspect of ‘Walking Tourism’ which attracts 500,000 visitors who spend €138 million annually.
- Wood is uniquely renewable among building material.
Even if you have very little space to plant, by doing something as simple as planting one tree, you can play your part in helping the environment.
By thinking locally, we can act globally!
National Tree Week is sponsored by Coillte and O2.
