(Saturday, February 27th 2021) Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) were delighted to help with kick starting a national campaign for a national schools and institutions tree planting weekend from the 12-14th November 2021. The recently formed organisation Bugs, Bees & Native trees hopes to encourage young people on the island of Ireland to address issues of the environment, biodiversity and climate change working together in a very practical way through tree planting and other national environmental projects.
On the weekend of the 12-14th November 2021, Bugs, Bees & Native trees are encouraging all primary and secondary schools to each plant up to 10 native or common Irish trees or saplings in a small area (5m x 5m up to 7m x 7m). Irish trees encourage other flora and fauna, pollinating insects (bugs and bees) and other wildlife to thrive in the same locality.
The trees planted at TUH include Birch, Lime, Beech, Common Oak, Mountain Ash, Pink Berried Ash, Holm Oak, Snowy Mespilus, Hawthorn, and common Crab Apple. Trees were supplied by Catriona Taylor of Blessington Garden Centre. Catriona also advises the group on all things horticultural.
Commenting on the campaign Chief Executive of TUH Lucy Nugent commented “The Hospital were delighted to be invited to help with kick starting this national campaign. One of the core elements of our hospital values is Respect – for patients, each other and our environment. These trees will add to the bio diversity of our campus and hopefully provide some assistance for our bees in the hives we placed onsite last year.”
Dr. David Mulcahy, Consultant Cardiologist and one of the Founders of Bugs, Bees & Native Trees said “I hope that this ‘good news’ project will encourage interest and practical action across the island of Ireland. This past year has given us all a greater appreciation of our environment and the need for us all to look after it. We need to collectively make positive plans to look after our wonderful environment and tackle climate change before it becomes too late.”
The website – https://bugsbeesandnativetrees.com will give details of all native trees, and trees which have been here for a long time, and would be suitable for planting as part of this initiative. It will also show you how to plant a copse of Irish shrubs and trees in a small space, how to plant bare-root and root-balled trees, how to stake, maintain etc, and what to add to increase biodiversity. To participate in the planting project you can click on this link to register.
