Volunteers praised as over 500 tress planted at historic Boom Hall lands

by Gráinne Connolly

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC), Councillor Maolíosa McHugh has praised 40 volunteers who planted over 500 trees on Saturday morning (24th March) alongside the Culmore Road / Madams Bank Road to provide a better visual screen for the Boom Hall lands and filter air & noise pollution in the area.

The native trees for the council-led initiative were supplied by the Woodland Trust – and volunteers from Zero Waste North West, Foyle River Gardens, Older People NW and Thornhill Eco-prefects joined forces for the tree-planting event.

Paying tribute to the environmental legacy that would be left for future generations, Mayor McHugh said:

“I am delighted to pay tribute to all of the volunteers from Zero Waste North West, Foyle River Gardens, Older People NW and Thornhill Eco-prefects who have planted a legacy which will make a real difference for generations to come.

“Indeed, the volunteers have not only helped to enrich Derry today, but are enriching the city for its children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  This is a fantastic achievement, well done everyone!”

(More volunteers out planting trees at the Boom Hall lands) 

Gregor Fulton, the Woodland Trust’s Estate and Outreach Manager, said:

“We’re delighted to support the Council’s tree-planting initiative, and it’s truly heartening to see so many groups and individuals working together with one common aim.

“Trees and woods bring countless benefits, from enhancing landscapes – in this case the iconic land at Boom Hall – to providing homes for wildlife and improving the very air we breathe. 

"Collective efforts really can make a difference and I hope that others, across the country, will be inspired by this fantastic example.”

Maeve O’Neill from Zero Waste North West, who have been working with Council on implementing the Zero Waste Circular Economy Strategy unanimously adopted by Council in December and on other important environmental initiatives such as the tree planting mornings, said:

“Apart from greatly benefiting our air and land this important initiative also brings diverse groups of people together – providing an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment.

"This tree planting morning was a huge success and gave a great sense of hope with people working together to make a difference for the environment.”

Barney Toal from Foyle River Garden (FRG), a charitable trust established to regenerate the riverside landscape between the Foyle Bridge and Culmore Point, added:

“We are delighted to support this fantastic initiative and the planting of native trees within the Boom Hall site.

"This initiative will not only help to sympathetically develop our natural environment but also enhance the unique riverside landscape of the city.”

The planting of 500 saplings at the weekend was the second tree-planting morning of this year – following on from a successful event on 10th February. 

For further information on the council-led initiative contact Michael Savage from Derry City and Strabane District Council on 02871 253253 or emailmichael.savage@derrystrabane.com