Community Comes Together To Plant 3,000 Trees Just Outside Tralee

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Members of the Laharn District Residents Association planting trees at the weekend.

A COMMUNITY came together last weekend to plant a native woodland just outside Tralee town.

The Laharn and District Residents Association (LaDRA) begin planting a native woodland in the Laharn area, along the side of the Listowel Road. With the help of volunteers from the wider community, a total 3,000 native trees need will be planted.

Thanks to generous support from Kerry County Council’s Community Support Fund and the Department of Rural and Community Development, Community Enhancement Programme, LaDRA have been able to make this native woodland project a reality.

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Rachel Geary, LaDRA said; “we were delighted to be chosen as a recipient of the funding, it is a great endorsement of the work we are doing in our community.”

The woodland project is part of an overall Community Enhancement Project. In 2013, LaDRA received money towards training, this training led to the development of an overall Community Enhancement Plan (CEP), which was drawn up after consulting with members of the community.

The CEP identified areas that looked unsightly, were prone to illegal dumping and could be improved areas for biodiversity and the community.

Ian McGregor, of Gortbrack Organic Farm, an expert in the area of community development and biodiversity carried out the training.

The aim of the CEP is to improve the amenities and appearance of Laharn and district area for the benefit of the entire community.

One major element of the CEP was to plant a native woodland along the approach road to Tralee (Listowel Road), a section that lies within the community.

The aim was to remove existing, unattractive, non-native shurbs and replant with native species, with a line of Mountain Ash on the roadside, in keeping with the island at the entrance to Alderwood Road, which was planted with another grant received in 2013/14.

Ian liaised with LaDRA committee member Rachel Geary to coordinate the project. This weekend Ian, LaDRA and volunteers from the community planted 3,000 native trees.

The Committee is following the guidelines set out in the All-Ireland-Pollinator-Plan and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

“This woodland will help bring the community together providing a ‘close to home’ amenity for people to enjoy. It is hoped that such a space would give our community a new identity and encourage civic pride across all age groups,” said Rachel.

“Our community includes approximately 300 residents (80 households). The community and commuters will benefit directly from the woodland, as it will improve the appearance of the area. However, the benefits will reach much further afield, it will result in a substantial piece of woodland which will positively impact Climate Chance, local biodiversity, bee populations and the health of the community. The planting of so many trees also helps the Government reach targets in relation to tree planting in communities.”

Rachel wished to acknowledge with gratitude, the generous contribution of €500 from Kerry County Councils Community Support Fund and €5,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Community Enhancement Programme.