National Tree Week

Go Kids:The National Tree Council has extended an open invitation to tomorrow's launch of National Tree Week.

Taking place at Avondale House and Forest Park, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow the launch is set up as a family fun day, so as soon as Éamon de Buitléar officially launches the week with a tree planting ceremony, the activities will begin.

Children can get involved in building dens, learn orienteering, and see wood craft demonstrations as well as a puc fada and field archery. It starts at noon until 4.30pm.

National Tree Week continues until March 12th and the theme is “The Year of the Forest – Celebrating Forests for People”, in keeping with the United Nations designation of 2011 as “The International Year of Forests”.

A walk in the magnificent Avondale Forest Park will satisfy one of the aims of this year’s celebration of trees which is to make everyone more aware of our forests. Otherwise look at coillteoutdoors.ie to find your local forest or treecouncil.ie to see if there is a special Tree Week event in your county.

To get older children really interested in a walk in the forest get them to take part in the National Tree Week photo competition. Entries will be accepted by e-mail only from Sunday, March 6th to Friday, March 18th inclusive, to trees@treecouncil.ie.