Dromara group branches out with planting project
Home furnishing retailer Ikea celebrated planting the millionth tree in its ‘Trees for Communities’ initiative when staff from the Belfast store visited the Dromara group’s allotment.
Run in in partnership with the Woodland Trust, the Ikea initiative provides packs of native trees to schools and community groups through a donation from the company’s Family loyalty programme.
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Hide AdIn Dromara, young people - aged 16-21 -have set their sights on creating an allotment with over 100 native trees.
Dromara group leader Gail Burns said: “This project is meaningful in so many ways.
“It can sometimes be hard for teenagers to find their place in the community and this is an opportunity for our young people to do something really constructive.
“Their determination to transform this land, previously used as a local dumping ground, is truly heartening.
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Hide Ad“They’re full of ideas and are delighted that others are taking an interest in their work.”
Woodland Trust NI director Patrick Cregg said the province was one of the least wooded places in Europe.
“The determination of teenagers especially, as in the example of Dromara Community Group, is truly inspirational,” he added.