Duncan Stewart launches National Tree Week and asks us in Twenty Ten to plant again
On Monday 1 March at Farmleigh at 11.00, Duncan Stewart launched 'National Tree Week'. Organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and supported by Coillte. In recognition of the 26th anniversary of National Tree Week from 7th – 13th March 2010, the theme this year is 'Twenty Ten – Plant Again', celebrating the importance of trees in our world? Over 500,000 trees have been planted as part of National Tree Week during the last 25 years and once again, this year, Coillte has supplied an additional 15,000 trees for planting, which will be distributed to schools and community groups by every local authority nationwide.
Throughout the week there are events taking place in each county, including:
- Launch of Poster Exhibition by Éanna Ní Lamhna, RTE, at Charleville Mall Public library, North Strand on Wed 3 March a 12pm
- Tree Walk with John Mc Loughlin, Tree Council of Ireland, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Sunday 7 March 10, at 3.00
- Tree planting by Christy Cooney, GAA President at Clan na Gael, Ringsend on Tuesday 9 March at 11.00am
· Augustine Henry Lecture in the RDS – "Multifunctional Plantation Forestry in Atlantic Europe" by Professor (Emeritus) Ted Farrell – UCD, The Merrion Room, RDS, Thurs 11 March 10 at 7.30 pm
- Launch of Tree Trail at All Hallows College by Bertie Ahern, TD at All Hallows College on Monday 8 March at 2.30 pm
- Tree Planting Ceremony to celebrate Mother's Day with Éanna Ní Lamhna
- & the launch of IKEA's Family Woodland Scheme at Turvey Park, Donabate on at 13 March at 11am
- For details of events in your area visit www.treecouncil.ie
Helena Mc Gorman, President, Tree Council of Ireland, said: ". We selected the theme 'Twenty Ten – Plant again' to urge people to look at how important trees are in our world. Furthermore, today the importance of trees in protecting our environment, and repairing some of the damage that has been done to the earth is even more relevant. The aim of National Tree Week is to highlight the role trees play in cleaning the air, preventing the build-up of greenhouse gases, providing renewable energy and providing a source for building and furniture."
Gerard Murphy, Managing Director, Coillte Forest said "The Coillte Press Release piece is: 'One of Coillte's core values is to contribute positively to the environment and to communities and Tree Week encapsulates this value wholeheartedly. Coillte is delighted to sponsor Tree Week which will see up to 20,000 trees planted in communities by communities, trees that will provide benefits for many generations'.
-ends-
For Further Information Please Contact:
John Mc Loughlin – Tree Council of Ireland
086 250 6022
Why plant more trees?
- With 10% forest cover Ireland remains one of the least forested country in Europe which has an average of 44% cover
- Many of our specimen trees were planted in the 18th and 19th Century and are in urgent need of replacement
- The strategic development plan for forestry has a target of 17% forest cover by 2030
- 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
- 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 forest provide a potential to for wood to displace fossil fuels
- Over 200,000 people use forest trails for exercise. 'Walking Tourism' brings in approx 500,000 visitors with a spend of €138k
- Wood is uniquely renewable among building material
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