Bugs, Bees and Native Trees campaign launched
By Mary Dennehy
THE seeds of a national biodiversity campaign set root at Tallaght University Hospital last weekend, when 10 native trees were planted on campus.
The local hospital kickstarted a countrywide campaign called Bugs, Bees and Native Trees, which is encouraging all primary and secondary schools to each plant up to 10 native trees or saplings.
TUH Consultants Professor Ronan Mullan, (Rheumatology) with Dr David Mulcahy (Cardiology) happy with the mornings work of tree planting at TUH
The project, which was co-founded by Dr David Mulcahy, a Consultant Cardiologist at TUH, hopes to encourage young people to address the issues of environment, biodiversity and climate change in a practical way.
The trees planted at TUH include Birch, Lime, Beech, Common Oak, Mountain Ash, Pink Berried Ash, Holm Oak, Snowy Mesipilus, Hawthorn and common Crab Apple.
The trees were supplied by Catriona Taylor of Blessington Garden Centre.
Commenting on the campaign, Lucy Nugent, CEO of TUH, said: “The hospital was delighted to be invited to help with kick starting this national campaign.
“One of the core elements of our hospital values is Respect – for patients, each other and our environment.
“These trees will add to the bio-diversity of our campus and hopefully provide some assistance for our bees in the hives we placed onsite last year.”
The TUH Tree Planting Team from left to right Professor Sean Tierney, Consultant Vascular Surgeon; Lucy Nugent, Chief Executive, TUH; Dr David Mulcahy, Consultant Cardiologist; Professor Ronan Mullan, Consultant Rheumatologist and Caitriona Taylor of Blessington Garden Centre
TUH Consultant Cardiologist Dr Mulcahy, one of the project founders, was also present for the tree planting last Saturday.
“I hope that this ‘good news’ project will encourage interest and practical action across the island of Ireland”, he said.
“This past year has given us all a greater appreciation of our environment and the need for us all to look after it.
“We need to collectively make positive plans to look after our wonderful environment and tackle climate change before it becomes too late.”
For further details or to register visit bugsbeesandnativetrees.com for details of all native trees, and trees which have been in Ireland for a long time.
There’s also tips and advice on how to plant a copse of Irish shrubs and trees in a small space, what to add to increase biodiversity and more.
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