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Canvassing support for tree-planting initiative

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  • 19-02-2010 2:31pm
    #1
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks,

    I submitted a civic proposal here on the "Your Country, Your Call" website and would be very grateful for any support or comments you could make in favour of it.

    I submitted the idea to John Gormley as well as to the various environmental spokespersons of other parties, but they all ignored it. The proposal has zero hope of winning the competition (that is not why I entered), but the board will officially endorse and recommend all "good proposals" to the government, whether they win or not.

    So, as people concerned about the environment, I'd ask you to take a few moments to read the proposal linked to above, and, if you like it, to vote for it or at least leave a comment.

    Cheers.
    Tagged:


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    #2
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    We do plant hundreds of thousands of trees along all motorways where traffic safety allows. Have a look along any new motorway constructed in the past 15 years.

    Councils are planting anywhere they can these days and the new REPS programme is certainly encouraging tree planting.

    Keep in mind that relatively small woods (or long narrow ones)scattered about ,with no covered corridor between them, are of limited value to wildlife.

    But, good luck with the proposal anyway. It can't do any harm.


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    #3
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Layne Prehistoric Thunderbolt wrote: »
    We do plant hundreds of thousands of trees along all motorways where traffic safety allows. Have a look along any new motorway constructed in the past 15 years.

    Sadly this isn't the case anymore. Although some road schemes have seen a lot of tree-planting, some - such as M8 Cashel-Mitchelstown, M7 Nenagh-Limerick, M7 Casteletown-Nenagh, M8 Watergrasshill and Cashel Bypasses, and various parts of the M11 - certainly have not. The reason is the NRA's new planting policy, which in reality encourages grasses and wildflowers to be sown much more so than trees. While these do have some benefits, they are not maintained. Drive the M8 and see for yourself. Instead they are colonised by dock, ragwort and thistle in extraordinary numbers and, because they are not mown, the grass simply dies off by late July until the following April. There are vast areas of land within a motorway's landtake that could be safely planted, but which aren't.
    Councils are planting anywhere they can these days and the new REPS programme is certainly encouraging tree planting.

    This is very welcome. Do you have a link to the reps scheme that encourages tree-planting?
    Keep in mind that relatively small woods (or long narrow ones)scattered about ,with no covered corridor between them, are of limited value to wildlife.

    They will be of more value than no trees, and they will provide nesting sites as well as being aesthetically pleasing. They will also act as a great noise buffer and will green up the countryside a bit.

    Thanks for the well wishes, srameen. :)


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    #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,482 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    is REPS back up and running? i heard it had been curtailed in the budget.


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    #5
    networks
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88 ✭✭networks


    its called 'feps'(forestry enviromental protection scheme)it runs in conjunction with reps,which has now closed,but if ur in reps4,you will qualify for feps for 5yrs


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    #6
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Furet wrote: »
    The reason is the NRA's new planting policy, which in reality encourages grasses and wildflowers to be sown much more so than trees. While these do have some benefits, they are not maintained. Drive the M8 and see for yourself. Instead they are colonised by dock, ragwort and thistle in extraordinary numbers and, because they are not mown, the grass simply dies off by late July until the following April.

    This type of planting is arguably more beneficial to wildlife in general than simply planting trees and shrubs in a narrow band along roadways. Dock Ragworth, Thistle - brilliant for many of our native species!


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