Primary schools across Cork are being invited to claim a free tree sapling, the Scots Pine and plant it with their pupils on Glennon Brothers National Tree Day, which takes place on Thursday, 2nd October next.
National Tree Day is an initiative of the Tree Council of Ireland designed to encourage primary schools to plant and learn about the importance of trees. This year it is supported by Glennon Brothers, the timber processing company that first established roots in Fermoy, back in 1998.
Ireland needs to plant more trees, specifically conifers, to meet government climate change targets and avoid European fines. Ireland has a forest cover of 12% versus a European average of 38%.
This year’s theme of ‘Building a better future’ links classroom learning with real-world forestry and explains how trees provide us with clean air, shelter for wildlife, and the timber that is used to build homes, furniture, tools, and boats for generations. The theme also highlights how fast-growing trees capture at least three times more carbon over 35 years than slower-growing species, and that using Irish-grown timber in homes and furniture keeps that carbon locked away. By getting outdoors to plant trees and explore Ireland’s unique biodiversity, primary school children across Cork can take simple, hands-on action that benefits their local area.
Schools can claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine (Latin name: Pinus Sylvestris, Irish name: An Giúis) saplings now. Despite the name, the Scots Pine is native to Ireland.
‘FROM FOREST TO FRONT DOOR’
Pat Glennon, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers, said that as a family business with deep roots in Cork, they were ‘proud to partner’ with the Tree Council of Ireland for National Tree Day.
“For us the message is simple, Irish timber for Irish homes, from forest to front door. For every tree we use, new trees are planted to keep forests healthy and full of life. We want to share the story of sustainable Irish forestry and inspire the next generation in Cork to care for the environment, one tree at a time.”
Find out more and claim a free sapling at www.treeday.ie. The website also hosts ready-to-use classroom resources, nature activities, and facts about the Scots Pine to make lesson planning easy.
