CHRISTMAS trees weren’t the only ones being put up in Rathkeale this year, as Uisce Éireann planted new native trees at the Rathkeale Wastewater Treatment plant.
Fourth and fifth class pupils from St Mary’s Boys National School in Abbeyfeale were on hand to help with the planting as Uisce Éireann planted 20 trees on the site earlier this month.
The planting is part of a move to grow over 6,000 native trees on the site over the next few months, where it will become a habitat for jay birds and red squirrels.
Uisce Éireann’s South West Region Biodiversity Forum, staff from Green Belt Forestry, and Limerick City and County Council were also on site on planting day to help the students.
As well as helping to plant the trees, the students had the chance to learn about how wastewater is treated and safely returned into the River Deel, as well as about the alder, oak, birch, and hazel trees that would soon be thriving in the area.
Chair of Uisce Éireann’s South West Region Biodiversity Forum, Anna Brosnan, said: “There are smiles all round. The boys from fourth and fifth class of St Mary’s in Abbeyfeale have been great and we have all enjoyed their visit to Rathkeale Wastewater Treatment Plant. For children as young as them, it is inspiring to see how knowledgeable they are about biodiversity.”
“As part of the tree planting event, we have also erected a plaque near the boundary of the treatment plant marking the occasion. It is a wonderful thought that in 20 or 30 year’s time, these children might be walking the adjacent Greenway and look up to see the trees they planted when they were young,” Ms Brosnan said.
“By planting 6,000 native trees and putting a stop to the regular mowing of the grass at the treatment plant, the Rathkeale Wastewater Treatment Plant will soon become home to even more different types of wildlife and insects.”
The children’s teacher, Julie Moloney, was delighted to see her pupils getting some hands-on experience when it comes to biodiversity.
“Being a Green School is something we take pride in, and our pupils are very enthusiastic about it. A thriving natural environment helps provide us with food, quality drinking water, and clean air. The tree planting was a great hands-on experience for our fourth and fifth class pupils,” Mr Moloney said.
“The children really try to promote protecting nature and they would encourage every person to play their part. People may think their garden is too small or their garden will look messy if they let the grass grow long, but by just being more conscious of wildlife and changing our habits, it will have a massive impact,” she concluded.
