10k volunteers to plant 1m trees

A mission to plant one million trees in one day is expected to attract up to 10,000 volunteers in 32 counties next month.

The cross-border project will see hundreds of acres planted with a bio-diverse system of native Irish trees over a 24-hour period.

Almost 2,000 landowners have signed up to join the cause, from farmers to schools, colleges, councils, and community groups.

Future benefits of the initiative include cleaner air, cleaner soil, and more efficient absorption of ground water, which will in turn reduce instances of flooding, according to the Irish National Forestry Foundation (INFF) executive director Cillian Lohan.

“There is an opportunity here to plant a mix of species so that it replicates a natural woodland; the whole system would benefit local communities in terms of providing for their fuel energy needs, insects pollinating local crops, facilitating wildlife and a natural setting where people can be outdoors and enjoy,” he said.

An interactive map network of locations for sponsored trees will be available to view on the INFF website.

A growing number of companies are signing up to promote the planting marathon, beginning on Friday, Mar 22, at 12 noon.

*www.onemilliontreesinoneday.com