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Local politicians have joined forces to make a simple, positive gesture for the environment by planting trees on the Stormont Estate. The politicians received a helping hand from the Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.
From left to right: deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the Woodland Trust’s Patrick Cregg, Chair of the Environment Committee Patsy McGlone, Environment Minister Arlene Foster, First Minister Rev Ian Paisley, and Speaker William Hay [Photo by Michael Cooper]
Speaker William Hay, who hosted the tree planting ceremony, was joined by First Minister Rev Ian Paisley, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Environment Minister Arlene Foster, and Chair of the Environment Committee Patsy McGlone.
The Assembly Members planted a small grove of birch, ash and oak as a symbol of the Executive and Assembly’s commitment to increase Northern Ireland’s native woodland cover.
Native woodland brings a whole range of health, social and wildlife benefits, yet Northern Ireland ranks as one of the least wooded regions in Europe. The country fares badly with six per cent woodland cover, compared to the European average of 44 per cent. Furthermore, most of this cover is coniferous, meaning that our native, broadleaved woodland occupies only 1.2 per cent of the Northern Ireland landscape.
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.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 52 woods. These woods contain a mix of newly created community woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland.
Patrick Cregg, the Woodland Trust’s operations director said: “We are absolutely delighted that such influential figures have made time for today’s ceremonial planting. It serves to put trees and woodland in the spotlight, and signifies hope for the future. The young trees planted today will be around for generations, hopefully centuries, to come.” He continued: “The Woodland Trust wants to see a marked increase in the country’s native woodland cover; but this will require the joint efforts of government, landowners and public bodies.”
Today’s event follows the announcement of the Executive’s first Programme for Government, which outlines its priorities and goals for the next three years. The programme includes a target to increase Northern Ireland’s woodland cover by 1650 hectares by 2011.
For more information, contact Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust on 028 9127 5787, or The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk.
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Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is registered as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland (No 1792) and is registered as a charity for tax purposes with the Inland Revenue