Schoolchildren to green Roscommon and help the planet

​Schoolchildren across the county of Roscommon in Ireland will plant 7,500 trees this autumn in an eco-initiative that will play a vital part in helping to protect local water sources, enhance biodiversity and capture carbon. The community initiative, which was launched this week to coincide with Ireland’s Rural Water Week, is also intended to inspire the next generation to think green.

Concerns at the damaging impacts of pesticides on water sources and biodiversity lie behind the initiative, which has been developed by the group water scheme sector with the support of Roscommon County Council and developer Ballymore. This autumn national schools will be receiving information explaining how to plant a tree and go pesticide free. Every schoolchild will receive a tree, as well as a certificate confirming the part they have played by planting it.

The initiative demonstrates how everyone can do their bit to help the environment and has the potential to enhance Roscommon, a county that already boasts such natural assets as the historic Mote Park and Lough Ree.

Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ballymore Group, said, “We take sustainability and biodiversity seriously on all our projects and I’m thrilled to be a part of this. It’s a fantastic idea that will make a big impact on the education of children and Roscommon. Initiatives like this spark young people’s curiosity and help to get them involved in safeguarding our planet’s future.”