Longford County Council urging people to get out and get involved in National Tree Week 2024!

Longford County Council is encouraging everyone in Longford to get involved in National Tree Week 2024 which is now underway from Sunday, March 3 to Sunday, March 10. 

Organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and supported by Coillte and Longford County Council, National Tree Week is a week-long festival of tree-related activities. The theme for 2024 is ‘Planting Trees for a Greener Future’.

The aim is to encourage people to plant more trees and to improve awareness, understanding and enjoyment of trees and forests across the country. A guided woodland walk will take place in Derrycassin Woods next to Mullinalaghta GAA pitch on Thursday, March 7 at 11am all are welcome.  

Planting more trees is the most efficient way of removing carbon from the atmosphere and combatting climate change and by doing something as simple as planting a tree everyone can play their part.

If you would like some native trees for your community, tidy towns group, estate or school you can contact Climate Action Officer with Longford County Council Gary Brady on 043-33 434 51. There are a limited number of trees available, and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The tree species available are Oak, Silver Birch, Common Birch, Scots Pine, Sycamore, Alder and Beech.

Photography Competition for Primary School Children

To celebrate National Tree Week there is an exciting competition for primary school children; simply upload a picture of a tree, forest or a favourite nature space saying why you love it. You and your class could win a trip to Coillte’s “Beyond the Trees” at Avondale Forest Park. Enter the competition here https://www.coillte.ie/national-tree-week/

A series of expert-led webinars including the Annual Augustine Henry Forestry Lecture on Urban Forestry in Ireland will also be running across the week with each session providing valuable insights and perspectives from experts on the critical role of trees in promoting a greener, more sustainable future.

Since its inception in 1985, National Tree Week has been responsible for planting almost one million trees in Ireland. Community groups planning events in their local area can register with the Tree Council at https://www.treecouncil.ie/register-an-event

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Colm Murray says the evidence of the success of the annual National Tree Week festival can be seen in communities all over Longford. “It’s a great initiative and we know that it works, so why not get out and join in one of the events, or collect some trees from the Climate Action Officer for your community – the more trees we plant, the better for us all.” 

Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “I’m delighted to see the progress of National Tree Week campaigns all over Longford and Longford County Council is happy to lead by example in supporting climate friendly initiatives that benefit all our communities.”

Climate Action Officer Gary Brady added, “There are some wonderful examples of how beneficial National Tree Week has been over the years dotted around our county. St Mel’s College have been planting trees on the grounds of the school for the last few years already. St Mary's National School in Newtowncashel also planted a large number of trees a few years back and they should be growing well now. Ballymahon Tidy Towns and Ballymahon Vocational School have also been particularly active on the tree front – adding more and more “lungs” to each of their own local environments." 

For the latest news and events from Longford County Council, follow LongfordCoCo on social media or log on to Longfordcoco.ie.