STUDENTS of Templeglantine National School are getting involved in a micro-planting project that promises big results.
This Saturday, Eco-Sikh Ireland in partnership with Reforest Nation will plant 1,150 trees as part of a nationwide initiative to plant over one million trees, in a bid to help reforest Ireland and combat climate change, global warming and bio-diversity loss.
School students will be working alongside members of the the local Sikh community to plant saplings from 11am to 3pm.
They will be joined by the congregation from Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara who will be travelling from Dublin, where the country’s only Sikh place of worship is located.
The new micro-forest, the first of its kind in Ireland, is funded by the Sikh community and will be named the Guru Nanak Sacred Forest after the founder of the Sikh faith.
The new forest is a collaborative project between Eco-Sikh Ireland, Reforest Nation and Templeglantine Community Development. It will cover an area of approximately 250 square meters, with over 1,150 trees of 11 different Irish native species.
Geared McEvoy, Founder of Reforest Nation said, “With the creation of Ireland’s first micro-forest at Templeglantine National School, I hope it will encourage more schools around Ireland and beyond to utilise their green spaces to help combat biodiversity loss and fight climate change.
“To safeguard our planet, it’s vital we inspire future generations to protect and restore the environment from a young age.”
Dr Jagdeep Singh, a founding member from Eco-Sikh Ireland said: “‘As Sikhs, our connection to the environment is an integral part of our faith and identity. We hope this project inspires all communities in Ireland to lead on environmental stewardship and learn more about the endeavours of the Irish Sikh community.”
According to Tadhg Mulcahy, spokesperson from Templeglantine Community Development and local historian: “The planting of the Guru Nanak Sacred Forest will contribute to the enhancement of local biodiversity and provide a beautiful natural amenity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.”
The forest will be grown using a method of afforestation where plant growth is ten times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual.
It will involve planting dozens of native species in the same area, without the use of chemicals or synthetic fertilisers, and will become self-sustaining after the first three years.
To volunteer or to take part tree planting visit www.ecosikhireland.wixsite.com/home. To support Reforest Nation visit www.reforestnation.ie and plant native trees from €2.
