Launch of Tree Week
20 November 2009
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee has launched National Tree Week in Carrickfergus Borough and announced Council plans during the tree planting season.
Alderman Beattie said "It's National Tree Week (November 25- December 6) and 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. Since the year 2000, Carrickfergus Council has planted 88,000 trees in the Borough. However, 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'. Tree Week is celebrating its 33rd Birthday this year and in Carrickfergus Borough we will be playing our part by planting more trees."
"This year we are also joining up with the BBC Breathing Places campaign 'Tree O'Clock', aimed at setting the Guinness World Record for the most trees planted in one hour. With the current record standing at 653,143 trees planted in a single hour, lots of volunteers are going to be needed to help. In the Borough we have Tree O'Clock events running at Eden Allotment Gardens & Whitehead Recreational Grounds. The Council will supply the trees, so come along with your spade and some warm clothing."
"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."
"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. For further information contact: Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council. t: 93358039 or e: greenspace@carrickfergus.org". ended Alderman Beattie
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council "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%."
"The cool and shade that the trees provide reduces street-level ozone which can cause coughing and chest pain. And the impact that the plants have on local climate can rein in the energy consumption of surrounding buildings by up to 10%. Woodland's have also been shown to encourage more healthy, open-air behaviour in residents such as walking, cycling and bird watching and to provide 'a living labs and outdoor classrooms' in which urbanites like myself can learn about the natural world." concluded Mr Daye
Tree Week events in Carrickfergus Borough:
Tree Planting at Greenisland Train Station in association with Greenisland Environmental & Heritage Group on Wednesday 2nd December at 11am.
Tree Planting at Whitehead Recreation Grounds in association with Brighter Whitehead on Saturday 5th December at 11am . This event is part of Breathing Places Tree O'Clock, if you join us, we might even break a Guinness World Record or two, for the most number of trees planted within one hour!
Tree planting atEden Allotment Gardens (off Beltoy Road) on Saturday 5th December at 11am. Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland will be planting trees with the allotment holders. This event is part of Breathing Places Tree O'Clock, if you join us, we might even break a Guinness World Record or two, for the most number of trees planted within one hour!
For further information on any of the events please contact Stephen Daye on 9335 8039. More tree planting events will take place in January & February visit www.carrickfergusinbloom.org for further information.
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer.
Telephone: 028 9335 8039
E-Mail: greenspace@carrickfergus.org
Web: http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org/treeweek.htm