Applicants sought for new initiative to create community forests across Carlow

Carlow County Council is encouraging the creation of forests across the county as part of a new initiative launched on National Tree Week. 

Committed interested parties are invited to plant trees on a minimum of 1.25 acres of community-managed green spaces across Carlow, with areas devoid of existing trees or with low canopy cover to be prioritised. 

Successful applicants of the 'Carlow Community Forests' initiative will be provided with 40 free tree saplings of various species annually from 2023 for four years inclusive. 

This density is designed to avoid the need for thinning out, to ensure age variation, and to facilitate any future proposals to incorporate walkways or amenity/interpretive infrastructure. 

The saplings will be provided to any group registered with Carlow PPN (Public Participation Network). 

A letter of written understanding must be submitted by the group to demonstrate their commitment to a zero-pesticide policy in the forest's management, a commitment to ensuring proper care (particularly in relation to watering) in the first five years, and a well-spaced out planting layout. 

Submissions should be made to Environmental Awareness Officer, Shane Casey, at [email protected] by March 10.