Tree Council of Ireland calls on everyone to take part in National Tree Week Everyone is being encouraged to help improve the environment by taking part in National Tree Week, which runs from 5-11 March 2006.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Friday 3March officially launched national Tree Week at Farmleigh House. It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and jointly sponsored by Coillte andO 2.

“The aim of National Tree Week is to raise awareness about trees and encourage local communities and local authorities to participate in over 300 events which will take place around the country during the week”, said Dorothy Hayden, President of the Tree Council of Ireland. “Trees are an essential part of our environment and we would ask everyone to either take part in a local event or even take five minutes to think about the important role trees play in all of our lives,” she continued.

Events organised for National Tree Week include forest walks, talks, tree planting ceremonies and exhibitions. The events are free and everyone is welcome to attend. In addition, over 15,000 trees, supplied by Coillte, will be distributed to schools and community groups by every local authority in the country. Free events guides are available from O 2 outlets and Coillte offices. Further information is available on www.treecouncil.ie or by calling The Tree Council of Ireland on (01) 284 9211.

Trees are recognised as one of the most essential parts of our environment for the role they play in cleaning air, preventing the build-up of greenhouse gases, providing renewable energy and materials for building, furniture and all the wooden items that form part of our everyday life, including the paper we read. Trees also play an essential role in providing habitats for thousands of plants and animals and stabilising soil. They are a major contributor to our economy and provides jobs to over 10,000 people, mainly in rural Ireland.

National Tree Week is now in its 22 nd year. This year the theme is ‘Trees our lifeline ’ helps us to reflect on the many uses and benefits of trees in our everyday life. In today’s world there are concerns for global warming which is caused by the build up of carbon dioxide (CO 2) in the atmosphere - this acts like a huge duvet, trapping heat from the sun and slowly raising the temperature of the Earth's climate. This build up of CO 2 is caused by almost everything we do - driving, flying, heating our homes, and even boiling the kettle. And as the use of technology increases around the world, there will be a corresponding rise in the demand for energy. The aim of the Kyoto Protocol was to get governments around the world to reduce greenhouse gas levels by agreeing to cut emissions by 5.2%. It is predicted that by 2010, Irish emissions will exceed 1990 levels by 32%, thereby overshooting the Kyoto targets by 19%.

With the theme ‘Trees - our lifeline’ we hope to highlight the importance of trees in our everyday life. By doing something as simple as planting a tree, everyone can play his or her part in helping the environment. By thinking locally, we can act globally!

Despite the great advances in the past 100 years Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% of our land planted with trees compared to the European average of 36%. Ireland has agreed a target to increase our forest cover to 17% by 2030. This initiative will provide thousands of new jobs in Rural Ireland, build our forestry industry and help improve our environment.

The Tree Council of Ireland is a voluntary organisation formed to promote the planting, care and conservation of trees. It represents almost 50 professional, voluntary and public service bodies that share a common interest in trees.

-ends-

For Further information on National Tree Week contact:

John McLoughlin,
Executive Director,
Tree Council of Ireland

Tel: 01 284 9211
Mobile: 086 250 6022
Fax: (01) 284 9197
Email: trees@treecouncil.ie