'Tree-mendous' start to MEA4Trees campaign as school children help plant for the future

Schools, community groups and volunteers across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area have come out in force to plant the first trees of the MEA4Trees campaign.

MEA4Trees, an exciting new partnership between Council and the Woodland Trust, will see approximately 58,000 native trees planted – that’s one for every household in the borough – over the next five years.

The initiative was launched during National Tree Week which is the UK’s biggest annual festival of trees.

Council has been supporting National Tree Week for many years with a wide range of events held across the borough during that time. This year Tree Week ran from 23 November through to 1 December and schools and community were excited to grab their spades and wellies and get to work!

Mayor Cllr Maureen Morrow said: “A big thank you is due to everyone who got involved in the MEA4Trees planting and management activities during Tree Week.

"Over 150 school children from Roddensvale Special School, Olderfleet PS, Whitehead PS, St MacNissi’s PS, Willowbank Daycare, Kids Korner Larne and Larne Community Care Centre planted hundreds of native trees at Carnfunnock Country Park, Linn Glen and Bentra Golf Course. Acorn Integrated PS, Oakfield PS and Ahoghill Young Farmers, meanwhile, helped out with essential orchard and hedgerow management at Carrickfergus Mill Ponds and Ahoghill New Park."

Kathryn Speers from Ahoghill Young Farmers said: "We really enjoyed taking part in MEA4Trees activities. We learned new skills, how we can help young trees grow and why trees are so important for people and wildlife. It's great to be able to help out in our local green space, support our local community and do our bit for the environment. We look forward to continuing helping with tree care in the future."

Other events highlighting the importance of trees included Community Wreath Making at Islandmagee Community Garden and Tales Amongst the Trees at Dixon Park Larne, as part of the ‘Your Place Our Space’ programme funded by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Tree planting season continues throughout the winter until March. Planting trees is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment, so why not get out and plant a tree yourself? 

Why not consider planting native species such as oak, elder and hawthorn -  our local wildlife will thank you for it! Let us know how you get on by sharing your tree planting adventures on social media with the tags #MEA4Trees #everytreecounts

If you want to help by planting trees and know an area which would benefit, please contact E: biodiversity@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Free native tree packs will be available to schools and community groups via The Woodland Trust in January 2020. For more information visit The Woodland Trust website.