Can you imagine a forest stretching right from the Donegal-Derry/Londonderry border to the Louth-Armagh border? Well, that’s exactly the vision of a new initiative called Peace Forest Ireland!
The idea is to plant a Peace Forest stretching from The Donegal-Derry/Londonderry border to The Louth-Armagh border. Native trees will be carefully selected to suit their particular location. Ultimately, the hope is to create a continuous canopy of trees along the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The concept was developed in the Dublin North Rotary Club in 2012. It was kick-started in May 2013 with the first oak tree planted in Saint Columb’s Park, Derry by Sakugi Tanaka – the then President of Rotary International. It seemed fitting to plant an oak tree, after which the maiden city is named, as well as celebrating the city being the European City of Culture in 2013.
Oak trees for the first planting were sponsored by Van Der Vel Ltd., Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, and Gallinagh Nursery, County Donegal.
About Your Garden sponsored 50 birch and alder transplants for the second planting on 1st Februrary 2014.
Those behind the Peace Forest project believe it has immense potential and can augment the peace process in a significant manner.
If you know of a location along the border between Northern Ireland the Republic, do get in touch with the initiative via their Facebook page. Or if you’re an organisation, business or individual who wants to lend their name to Peace Forest Ireland by sponsoring a tree, get in touch too!
Each Peace Tree will be planted by members of communities on either side of the border working together. It is hoped to create a domino effect by bringing different stakeholders together to support the initiative.
With input from designers, ecologists, foresters, nurseries and experts, it is hoped the project will take on a life of its own.