ARBOR WEEK
LOCAL ARBOR WEEK
Arbor Week – What’s that?
Since 2008 Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council runs an annual Arbor Week which is focussed on a number of practical tree planting events across the district involving children and young people from many local schools. The week is organised by the Council’s Agenda 21 unit with the help of Parks and Technical Services divisions in order to increase the number of trees in the district, provide pupils with practical training in the planting and aftercare of trees and to raise awareness of the importance of caring for our native woodlands. For the first time round DSTBC received a grant of £1,351 under the Awards for All Lottery programme to run this initiative. Much welcomed was also the support of local organisations, such as Conservation Volunteers N.I. and the Speedwell Trust, which have been present at some of the events with displays and educational activities.
What has been done so far?
During the first Arbor Week in December 2008 more than 200 pupils from nine local Primary and 3 Secondary Schools rolled up their sleeves and dug in to plant 400 trees for the benefit of generations to come. Participation numbers increased further for the 2nd Arbor week in February 2010 which saw sixteen environmentally minded local schools joining Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council in a series of tree planting sessions across the district. Altogether more than 300 pupils from 13 Primary and 3 Secondary schools planted almost 500 native trees. The children and young people also carried out some vital after care for the trees planted the previous winter in order to create five small native woodland areas in Donaghmore, Ballygawley, Dungannon, Benburb and Aughnacloy. Many of the schools had been involved the year before and the children took great pride to re-visit and care for ‘their’ trees. The ‘mini woodlands’ will be further developed in years to come to include other aspects of environmental work such as planting of native woodland bulbs.
Why plant native trees?
Native trees provide a range of food for a wide variety of insects, birds and mammals and are in fact among the very best plants for our local wildlife. A native oak or willow can for example support more than 200 different species of native insects. Introduced species of trees on the other hand - such as the horse chestnut - usually benefit a much smaller variety of insects found in the UK or Ireland. Trees also provide a place for our wild animals to shelter, breed and hibernate. Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, so every tree that is planted helps local wildlife too.
Of course, trees are not only crucial for the survival of a wide range of our local fauna but are equally of benefit to our own health and well-being, as well as the global and local climate and our economy. Trees and native woodlands are vital for our planet’s survival, so why not
‘Take part and plant a native tree this winter to improve our environment and lives now and for years to come! ‘
