This week on Ours to Protect we’re taking a look at a community project in Killorglin which aims to plant 100,000 trees by 2030.
The voluntary group called Local Roots wants to promote locally owned woodlands and hedgerows to enhance biodiversity and sustainability.
Did you know?.....
Trees combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the air. They prevent water pollution, help prevent soil erosion, absorb pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide and they provide a habitat for wildlife.
In Killorglin a group of volunteers have come together to help landowners avail of the Government’s new Native Tree Area Scheme to support the creation of small native forests. The scheme is open to both farmers and non-farmers and applies for sites up to a maximum of 2 hectares.
In January the voluntary group planted the first 1,100 trees at a site in Cromane.
Getting involved?.....
There is a grant for the initial planting and then annual payments of around €2,200 per hectare for 10 years.
Local Roots will help landowners source native trees and provide the manpower to plant them.
Local Roots are also looking to partner with primary schools in Kerry to grow oak trees from acorns in jam jars.
The community group would love more volunteers to come on board.
If you’re interested in taking part you can contact the group on www.localroots.ie.
Useful links…….
https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees
