Sustain Launch New Project during National Tree Week

As part of National Tree Week (7-14 March) Sustain West Cork will be planting Apple & Hazelnut Trees along side the river in Gortnaclohy, just behind Hegarty’s Garage at 2:00 on Sunday 7th March.  Mayor Brendan Leahy will be turning the first sod.  The planting marks the launch of Sustain West Cork's Community Orchards & Nut Groves Project.

 Sustain are partnering Skibbereen town council, Bantry Harbour Board, Bantry town council & Tidy Towns group. In Dunmanway they are supplying trees for the Wetland Amenity Project being carried out by the Community Council, Family Resource Centre & The Hollies. In Durrus trees are being planted in both Schools & we are working with Ballydehob Food Group to plant trees in the schools on 10th March as part of a series of events the group are planning for the week. Part of the projects aim is to Growing Communities as much as Growing Fruit and by bringing the groups together we hope to achieve this. These partnerships can be continued & developed during the seasons for pruning & maintenance & eventually harvesting.  We would also like to plant at least 2 fruit or nut trees in the grounds of Schools in the area, which would give the chance for engagement with pupils of all ages.

A second planting will take place in the Autumn during the interim months we will be accepting applications from Resident’s Associations, Community Groups & Schools throughout the area for planting of Tree’s in their grounds. We will be asking for a guarantee from these groups that they maintain the orchards & harvest the fruit. Individuals & Company’s will also be able to sponsor trees & orchards.  Sustain are hoping to develop an educational programme to accompany the Autumn schools planting.

This project gives a chance for a diverse range of Community Groups to collaborate on a practical project and for Sustain to engage with pupils of all ages to promote awareness of the importance of Local Food Production & Biodiversity.  We have to totally re-think our food supply, which is at present totally dependent on huge amounts of Fossil Fuel Inputs. It is said that with our current Industrial Agriculture methods it takes on average 10 Calories of Fossil Fuel Energy to produce 1 Calorie of Food Energy this is clearly not Sustainable!  

Visually orchards of blossoms that will appear throughout Spring & summer will be beautiful assets to the areas. Plus the local people will be able to harvest the fruit and nuts in the years to come.

The project has secured funding from Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership 2009 through Cork County Council, further funding will now be sought in order to maximise the projects potential. Local suppliers Woodkerne Nurseries are supplying the trees.

For further info contact info.sustainwestcork.com