Burntollet Wood, just outside Londonderry, was in the limelight when schoolchildren, local people and visitors turned out in full force for a special week-long series of events (Saturday 7 to Thursday 12 November). The tree planting and woodland discovery days were part of the Woodland Trust’s ‘Tree For All’ campaign, funded by Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Saturday saw the start of the Trust’s ambitious plan to plant over 36,000 native trees at Burntollet. Hundreds of local people and visitors made a momentous, lasting contribution to the new wood by planting over 2,500 trees in one afternoon.
Foyle MP Mark Durkan lent a helping hand with the tree planting. Mr Durkan said: “I would like to congratulate all the volunteers who gave up their time to do their bit to help the environment.” He continued: “I would also like to congratulate the Woodland Trust for this excellent initiative and for reminding all of us how important developing natural habitation is for fighting climate change and for improving our natural environment.”
During the weekdays that followed, over 200 schoolchildren swapped their indoor classrooms for the great outdoors. With renowned storyteller Liz Weir and artists from Artworks, the young minds were transported on a voyage of woodland fun and discovery.
Michelle McCaughtry, events officer with the Woodland Trust, said: “We’ve been extremely heartened by the support of the grown-ups and by the enthusiasm of the youngsters; and would like to extend a huge thank you to all who took part.
“We want children to grow up with a real love of woodland and nature, and hope that events, such as these, will play a useful part in that process. We’re very grateful to all of the schools who joined us, and are delighted to welcome pupils from Moyle National School who made the journey from County Donegal today.”
To find out more about Burntollet Wood visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/burntollet
The tree planting is in keeping with BBC Breathing Places; a partnership between the BBC and conservation organisations which aims to connect people, including children, with nature.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found via this website.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 53 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk
