Kilmeen club buzzing about bees and trees

THERE’S certainly a buzz around Rossmore these days as locals seek to ensure that bees and other pollinators are protected in their area.

Recognising the threat to bees and other pollinators from drastically reduce dfood and safe nesting sites on landscapes, Kilmeen/ Kilbree GAA decided to do something about it.

They are devoting some of the club’s lands to planting pollinator-friendly plants and trees, with help from children in Kilmeen National School and Kilmeen Castleventry Community Development Association (KCCDA).

Coillte have also come on board and have kindly sponsored the 1,000 native trees, including a mix of oak, birch, rowan, alder and hawthorn which will be planted.

‘There’s a lot of Citizen Science too – with a little help from our friends, we have created a ‘where are we now’ paper, documenting over 60 species which have recently been observed in the Kilmeen/Kilbree GAA club land area. The project will survey andphotograph, pinpointing areas for planting on the grounds. We’ll continue to track how bees, moths and lots of other wildlife adapt to their new habitat as it develops. This is a win-win for our community, our club, our climate and our biodiversity,’ said a spokesperson.

‘The involvement of national agencies like Coillte is another unique aspect of the project, and will help Ireland meet its challenging 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target.

‘Since 50% of a tree is composed of carbon, trees represent one of the best ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere. These trees will contribute to reducing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.’

The project will inform the build-up of habitat and shelter for pollinators in Ireland, thereby contributing to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, which was launched in 2015. This is a shared plan of action to try to reverse these declines and work with communities, schools and farms to make an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive.

Kilmeen/Kilbree are the first GAA club in Ireland to partner with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. These proposed changes to land management by Kilmeen/Kilbree GAA will hopefully lead the way for other clubs in the area to be inspired and to get involved in this type of initiative themselves.

Further information on this project can be got from Orla Harrington, KCCDA.