Northern Ireland remains one of the least wooded regions in Europe. Through The Woodland Trust’s ‘MOREwoods Scheme’, 900 native deciduous tree saplings were donated to Kilmore Playing Fields in Crossgar.  After a short demonstration, children from Cedar Integrated Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School worked together to plant the tree saplings on an piece of unused land above the playing fields.  

On-site to help out were Down District Council’s Vice Chairman, Councillor Liam Johnston, Councillors Patsy Toman, Terry Andrews and Maria McCarthy. Jackie Morgan from The Woodland Trust, Abby Mcsherry, Action for Biodiversity Officer, Hayley Sherwin, Down District Biodiversity Officer, Damien Morgan, Down District Parks Supervisor and members of the Parks Section workforce.

Councillor Liam Johnston commented at the event, “The Tree Council is urging everyone to show their support for their local environment by putting one tree, or more, in the ground. Native trees enhance the landscape, provide homes for wildlife, improve air quality and reduce the effects of local climate change by removing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.”

Councillor Patsy Toman, Chairman of Down District Council’s Estates Committee thanked the children for their hard work, stating that, “Every tree planted really does count”.

For more information on local biodiversity please contact the Biodiversity Officer on 028 4461 0824. If you would like more information on the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods Scheme, please contact the Woodland Trust on 0845 293 5749 or visit www.moretreesmoregood.org.uk