Tralee Rotary And Kerry Film Festival Partner Up For Tree-Planting Initiative

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Grace O Donnell Chariperson KIFF, Sharon Hayes President of Tralee Rotary Club and Mike Kelly Castlegregory Community Council launching the tree-planting initiative.

KERRY International Film Festival is partnering with Tralee Rotary Club to plant 4000 trees in the Castlegregory Nature Park and the adjoining Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh school garden.

The tree-planting is part of KIFF’s evolving environmental policy outlined in their 20121 – 2026 Five Year Strategic Plan.

Having just celebrated their 21st edition, the Festival went through a strategic planning process under the guidance of independent consultant, John Gannon to create a vision for the future.

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KIFF Board Member, Ailbhe Keogan said: “On the environmental front, we wanted to give back in a meaningful way and make a practical difference, even if on a small scale. Out of small seeds grow big trees.”

Michael Kelly of the Castlegregory Community Council is very passionate about the new park. “This nature park will be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, but more than that, it will be home to a wide variety of plants and animals that are increasingly at risk in Ireland.

“We are hugely appreciative of KIFF and Tralee Rotary Club, who are funding the planting of native hedgerow and woodland trees. Our whole eco-system relies on biodiversity. Land clearance policies see Ireland on the verge of ecological collapse. Sadly, we are one of the least biodiverse countries in Europe, as well as the least forested with only 8% native woodland cover.”

Over 4000 trees have been purchased from the Trees on the Land, a cross-border initiative working to establish young native trees across the 32 counties of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Tralee Rotary Club President, Sharon Hayes said: “Tralee Rotary Club are delighted to partner with KIFF in relation to this very worthwhile initiative being undertaken by Castlegregory Community Council.  It falls to all of us to be mindful of our native wildlife, flora and fauna and to do what we can to protect what we have.”

KIFF Chair, Grace O’ Donnell said: “This is a wonderful opportunity as an organisation to reduce out carbon foot print and to progress our green agenda.  It is also important to us that we can do this by supporting a local project.”

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