28/02/2008 -

National Tree Week 2008

Seachtain Náisiúnta na gCrann 2008

Sligo County Council will distribute over 350 native Irish saplings to groups in Sligo as part of the National Tree Week programme of events.

National Tree Week 2008 will be held from 2-8 March 2008. The aim of National Tree Week is to raise awareness about trees and encourage local communities to participate in over 300 events which will take place around the country during the week.  Events include forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks, competitions and even tree plantathons! 

Trees Water Life

Every year we select a theme and for 2008 the theme is ‘trees water life’.  Water is the substance that makes our planet unique within our solar system. It is the source of all life. Without water, life as we know it could not exist. From single cell organisms to the largest plants, water is the common ingredient. Mature trees, the largest plants on the globe, have an added relationship with water that many lesser plants do not have.

Trees and woodlands rich in diversity play an important role in protecting our waterways. They filter out solids and absorb excessive nutrients, purifying water before it flows into streams and rivers, and helping to make it suitable for drinking. Forests also act like massive sponges, soaking up excessive rainfall and releasing it into waterways slowly over time, thereby helping to prevent flooding in villages and towns downstream.

Carefully designed woodlands along streams, rivers and lakes can also benefit fish and other forms of life in the water, providing food and cooling shade. Also, many of our well-known native trees, such as alder and willow, are closely associated with streams, rivers and lakes, forming an important part of our inland waterway heritage and landscape.

To Get Involved

If you would like to organise a tree planting event in your local area please contact Sligo County Council at Telephone: 071-9111908 or e-mail: enviro@sligococo.ie.