Longford group celebrates largest school tree planting initiative in country

Longford-based ‘Biodiversity in Schools’ is celebrating another successful year of its national tree-planting programme. ‘Coill na nÓg’ is now Ireland’s largest tree-planting initiative for schools. 

This year the programme, based out of Mullinalaghta, supported schools across Ireland in planting more than 5,700 native, Irish-grown trees, creating 1.4km of native hedgerow and 173 mini woodlands across 346 schools impacting over 112,000 young people. The initiative, delivered in partnership with eFlow, helps students learn about biodiversity, specifically trees and hedgerows, while creating lasting habitats on school grounds. 

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As part of the programme, ‘Biodiversity in Schools’ recently visited Melview NS to check in on the progress of the trees planted by students. The visit highlighted the enthusiasm of local schools in helping to restore nature and improve biodiversity in their communities. 

Commenting on the programme, teacher Audrey Hunt stated: “Biodiversity in Schools has been very supportive of Melview NS as we continue our biodiversity work and we would like to thank them for helping us on our way - they’ve been an invaluable source of information and resources.” 

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Biodiversity in Schools CEO and founder Mark Nolan added: “While we work across the entire education sector, across the whole island and deliver the largest nature education programmes in Ireland, we’re very proud to be based in Longford and particularly keen to engage with our local Longford schools and encourage them to sign up to our free programmes.”

Commenting on the tree planting programme, he added: “Ireland has one of the lowest levels of native tree cover in Europe, at only 2%. This is extremely low, especially considering our rich tree heritage.It is important that the next generation grow to appreciate the importance of our trees from a biodiversity, climate and heritage perspective by nurturing them on their school grounds.” 

Free trees will again be available from October this year but in the meantime the ‘Biodiversity in Schools’ team is also working with Longford County Council on a new, free children’s book celebrating the trees and woodlands of Longford, which will be available very soon. 

To find out more about Biodiversity in Schools, and take part in their latest campaigns, you can visit biodiversityinschools.com. 

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They are currently seeking 5,000 students nationally as part of their free Pollinator Project training programme. It is open to pre, primary, secondary and homeschools and they would be delighted to see more Longford schools participating.