Millenniumforests branchingout

September 2002

THE first phase of the plantation of the People’s Millennium Forests for County Wicklow is now complete with Shelton Woodland playing host to thousands of new trees

New walkways, signage, car parks and picnic areas are now in place at Shelton and a tree has been planted there for every household in County Wicklow.

Other areas being used for the People’s Millennium Forests include Ballygannon Wood and Avondale near Rathdrum.

Nationally, over €6.35 million is being spent on the project which was conceived as a long-lasting wat of commemorating the millennium and is sponsored by AIB, the National Millennium Committee and the Forest Service.

Fifteen hundred acres of native Irish woodland are now designated as 16 People’s Millennium Forests are dedicated in perpetuity to the people of Ireland.

The forests include newly planted areas and the restoration of rare native woodlands that have been in existence for hundreds, or even thousands of years.

One of the main objectives of the project was to raise awareness of, and help people appreciate native Irish woodlands.