TCC launch Community and Business Forest Initiative in Tallaght Schools
Tallaght Community Council (TCC) have a long history of championing Tallaght’s heritage and environment – our parks, rivers and mountains.
As the impact of climate change looms large, TCC have decided to be part of a tangible program to help in the fight against climate change.
John Kiberd receiving a sponsorship cheque from Eoighan Riordan, Dealer Principal at Tadg Riordan Motors
Normally at this time in the year, TCC would be organising the Summer event, Tallafest, however for the second year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the street festival won’t be possible.
Channelling that time and creativity, TCC have created a new program called Stepping Stone Forests Tallaght for 2021.
“TCC are always looking at ways we can make a positive difference in Tallaght. While we can’t hold our large events at the moment which is disappointing, there is no such thing as a ‘day off’ for my committee colleagues.
“This new project has huge potential for children and adults to have fun and help fight against climate change,” said Liz Kennedy, voluntary Chair.
This program will deliver educational and active fun in Tallaght, with a long lasting positive legacy.
It adopts the effective technique of planting and establishing very dense, native pocket forests called Miyawaki forests.
Jane O’Loughlin, Linda Folan (General Manager) and Alan Groake (Deputy General Manager) of The Maldron Hotel presenting a cheque to John Kiberd (Volunteer Vice Chair of TCC)
Miyawaki forests grow mature forests 10 times faster and 100 more biodiverse than conventional plantations.
The TCC Vice Chair, John Kiberd, AKA John Littermug, has been a strong advocate of these forests in recent years and brought the first one to Tallaght with the support of South Dublin County Council in the green flag, Sean Walsh Park.
Irish biologist, environmental consultant Eanna Ni Lamha said: “The Stepping Stone Forests for Schools is a Really imaginative initiative of Tallaght Community Council and I encourage schools and sponsors to sign up for the programme while the going is good.
“It would be wonderful to see so many mini forests of native Irish trees planted throughout Tallaght as the whole area could certainly benefit from more trees and woodland habitat.
“Our children will greatly enjoy this extra interaction with trees and woodland plants and wildlife and indeed with the natural world in general.”
TCC’s program will be built on a collaboration between the community volunteers, schools and businesses to fund, plant and nurture small urban forests across Tallaght.
Phase 1 of the program will deliver five forests in Tallaght schools, starting this Autumn. To complete Phase 1, TCC need five business sponsors and five host schools.
The interest is very strong and there are already two confirmed forest sponsors on board, Tadg Riordain Motors and The Maldron Hotel.
There are 3 sponsorship opportunities left for the 2021 program, any interested business should contact TCC.
Giacomo Gelardi – assistant in the Killinarden Parish Community Link / Sacred Heart Junior School said: “We believe that the Stepping Stone Forest project offers a great opportunity for the fostering of a sense of community and of ownership of common spaces, as well as for engaging children at a young age in outdoor activities that nurture an appreciation of nature.”
Any school in Tallaght who is interested in planting and nurturing a Stepping Stone Forest on their campus can register for Phase 1.
It is going to be a real hands on project for students and schools to be involved in, improving the air quality around their school, increasing biodiversity on their school campus and will give students an appreciation of the value of trees to us all.
Registrations of Interest need to be in by June 7, 2021.
For more information go to: Schools, Business.
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