Sir, - I very much welcome the suggestion that large numbers of trees be planted for the Millennium. However, the situation may not be as pessimistic as that outlined in a recent letter to the editor.
There is already awareness with regard to exotic species and populations of native species. The National Parks & Wildlife Service has built a special nursery in The Killarney National Park to grow a variety of plants, including trees from the locality. This is also a topic which is being considered by Government departments, in compliance with the International Biodiversity Convention. Some of the work carried out in this particular area was covered in a programme in my recent TV series, Ireland's wild countryside.
Plant and animal species are nearly always locally adapted, to a greater or lesser extent, and knowing to what degree this adaptation occurs is an essential part of nature conservation practice. It is encouraging that the general public is now becoming more aware of, this topic. - Yours, etc.,
Hillside House,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.