Mindfulness micro forest planted as part of National Tree Week
National Tree Week (March 20th – 27th) is always a great opportunity for all to learn a little more about the wonder of trees.
For many, this week comes and goes without any interaction with trees, but in Virginia National School, the kids rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty to plant more than 100 native trees across their grounds.
This was done with Green Belt, who are celebrating 40 years of planting trees this year. Working from its headquarters in Virginia since 1982, Green Belt wanted to mark this incredible milestone with something memorable and impactful.
The local school was really interested in developing a mindfulness micro forest. The idea is that it will develop to provide the children an area to rest and enjoy some ‘forest bathing’. This micro forest was created with a collection of native trees including oak, Birch,
Beech and 2 Yew trees. These Yew trees are especially significant to Virginia as Achadh an Luir translates from Irish as the field of the yew.
Across the remainder of the available areas, crab apple trees were planted to provide fruit for seasonal apple tarts and then a shelter belt border was planted to break the wind for the kids on the playground.
The weather on the day was absolutely stunning and the entertainment on the day was provided by the school Trad’ music group. We had each of the almost 500 kids from every class come out, dig holes and plant trees. The interest levels were amazing with the questions flying. The school should be immensely proud of itself and all the amazing children. A particular word of thanks and praise to Principal Jacinta Jordan who coordinated the day along with her assistant Marie Gillic.
It is really important we take a little time to educate and explain to people why trees are important and what they do in our lives. Ireland needs to plant more trees and have more forests and woodlands for people to enjoy and the materials from Irish forests used in building houses and homes with.
Green Belt set up in 1982 and has since then planted 500 million trees across Ireland and more recently Panama. Many people have worked with us over the years and their contribution has brought us to this very happy occasion of 40 years of planting trees. To all those who have joined us on this journey to date, we say thank you. In particular, to all those 10,000 people who have trusted Green Belt to deliver their forestry and woodland.
Since 1982 Green Belt has planted more trees than anyone else in Ireland. We continue to manage the private forestry we established through to harvesting and replanting of the forests. More and more,
people are looking to become involved with forestry and woodland creation. Green Belt is very well placed to provide a full and quality service to all our clients. We have 32
full time staff with 18 professional foresters and managers located strategically across Ireland. Our team has a full-time ecologist for all the environmental aspects of the business
and we are soon to be PEFC certified, adding more value to your timber.
Contact: Maurice Ryan, Green Belt; 0876753097 maurice@ greenbelt.ie