THE
PEOPLE'S MILLENNIUM FORESTS : A
TREE FOR EVERYONE OF US
Every
household in the country has its own special tree. This is part
of the People's Millennium Forests Project to restore Ireland's
native woodlands and manage them for the benefit of people and
the environment.
6,000
years ago, forests covered nearly all of Ireland. For centuries
since, the trees were cut down to build houses and ships, to heat
homes and cook food, and to make furniture and other products.
Very little of the native woods are left. Those that remain are
often in danger from overgrazing or from new, non-native trees
and shrubs such as rhododendron and beech.
Now,
over 1.2 million oak, birch, alder, ash and Scots pine are being
replanted from native seed collected throughout the country. This
project will save the old woodlands from being lost and, it is
hoped, preserve them for the next 1,000 years.
The
project is sponsored by the National Millennium Committee, the
AIB Bank and the Forest Service. It is managed by Coillte in partnership
with the Woodlands of Ireland Group.
There
is a certificate for every family telling them where their tree
is growing, along with thousands of other trees dedicated to other
families. You can go and see the woodland where your own particular
tree is growing.
What
can you do to help this project? Just use the forests. Enjoy the
scenery and the birds, animals and wild flowers that live under
the forest's 'roof. Take care of them and tell other people about
them. Be especially careful not to trample on young trees and
stick to the pathways provided.
