Seachtain Nisinta na gCrann 2008

National Tree Week 2008

Cuireann crainn uisce ar fail don bheatha

Trees, Water, Life

National Tree Week will take place this year from 2^nd - 8^th March. Events have been organised all over the country which include forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks and competitions. Further information is available from our office at 01 493 1313 or trees@treecouncil.ie or alternatively it will be available from our sponsors O₂ and Coillte. You may pick up a copy at any Coillte office or O₂ outlet around the country or visit www.treecouncil.ie, www.coillte.ie or www.O2Ireland.ie National Tree Week is now in its 24^th year. This years theme is Trees, Water, Life. We hope to highlight the interdependence of trees and water. By doing something as simple as planting a tree, everyone can play his or her part in helping the environment. By thinking locally, we can act globally!

Trees are recognised as one of the essential parts of our environment for the role they play in cleaning air, preventing the build-up of greenhouse gases, providing renewable energy and materials for building, furniture and all the wooden items that form part of our everyday life, including the paper we read. Trees also play an essential role in providing habitats for thousands of plants and animals and are important for soil stabilisation. They are a major contributor to our economy the forestry industry is now worth over 700m per annum and provides jobs for over 16,000 people, mainly in rural Ireland.

Despite the great advances in afforestation over the past 100 years, Ireland remains one of the least wooded countries in Europe with only 10% forest cover compared to the European average of 36%. It has been agreed to increase our forest cover to 17% by 2030.

The Tree Council of Ireland would like to thank every Local Authority for their support in making National Tree Week a great success every year.

Best Regards.

The Tree Council of Ireland