Download PLANT A NATIVE IRISH TREE FOR NATIONAL

PLANT A NATIVE IRISH TREE FOR NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY WEEK, 20
TH
– 26
TH
MAY
To mark the first ever National Biodiversity Week and International Biodiversity Day today, Tuesday 22nd
May, the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government is encouraging people to plant trees
and to make sure they are native Irish species such as oak, rowan or birch. Biodiversity Day aims to
celebrate Ireland’s biodiversity and to promote increased awareness of the need to protect our natural
environment. The protection of the natural environment is vital if we are to safeguard our natural resources
such as food, water and clean air which are critical to human health and wellbeing. Visit www.noticenature.ie
for more information on what native Irish trees, shrubs and flowers you can plant.
“The Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government is focusing on trees today
because of all the benefits they provide to the earth and to humans; trees produce oxygen, absorb carbon
dioxide, protect soil, prevent flooding and store and recycle nutrients and provide a vital raw material,” says
Dr Marian Coll, Ecologist with Notice Nature. “In Ireland it is better to plant native Irish trees such as oak, ash
and birch because they support more native plants, birds, animals and insects than an exotic tree “
For example a native oak tree growing in Ireland can support about 290 different species of plants, animals,
birds and insects for food and shelter. Our native trees are also an important part of Ireland’s rich natural
heritage. Biodiversity encompasses all living things – humans, animals, plants, birds, fish and the habitats in
which they live. Globally, biodiversity is being lost due to increasing development, climate change, invasive
alien species and the international trade in endangered species. International Biodiversity Day is an
important reminder that we each need to do more locally to halt the loss of biodiversity in order to ensure the
future of the earth.
“Whether you are a householder, a community group or a business, planting a tree is a simple action
that benefits the environment as well as enhancing any community or garden,” said Marian Coll.”
The Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government is working with the construction, business
and tourism sectors to develop guidelines for their sectors to prevent the loss of biodiversity and these
guidelines will be published later this year. The Department has also partnered with environmental
organisations to organise a calendar of events for this, the first ever National Biodiversity Week, with Bat
Walks, nature walks and public lectures throughout Ireland - for details visit www.NoticeNature.ie.
ENDS.
For further information: Neasa Kane, 087-232 0038 / 01-284 6338