Wicklow County Council is pleased to announce the success of a major native tree planting event held at Bray Head on Saturday 8th February, where close to 200 volunteers came together to help restore biodiversity at this iconic coastal site.
The event marked the beginning of the implementation of the County Wicklow Biodiversity Action Plan 2026 to 2031. The plan mirrors national policy and the forthcoming National Restoration Plan in seeking to increase native tree cover and deliver biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation on public land. Public participation is central to this work, ensuring that biodiversity action is community led as well as policy driven.
Despite weeks of torrential rain leading up to the event, early showers eased and the sun broke through over Bray Head as individuals, families and community group members from across Wicklow and beyond arrived to take part. Young and old worked side by side, planting 3,000 native trees supplied as whips by Cullen’s Nursery and delivered early on the morning of the event. Soft ground made for easy digging and the entire planting was completed in just a few hours.
Ireland has one of the lowest levels of native tree cover in Europe, at less than 2%, and while Wicklow is often thought of as a forested county, the vast majority of its forest cover is non native. This makes features such as hedgerows critically important for biodiversity. Often described as linear woodlands, hedgerows provide food, shelter and safe movement routes for a wide range of species. In Wicklow, around a third of the county’s 9,000 kilometres of hedgerows are in poor condition, underlining the importance of restoration efforts such as this.
Speaking on the event, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, said: “Seeing so many people come together at Bray Head was hugely encouraging. Land and communities are at the heart of biodiversity action, and this event shows what can be achieved when people are given the opportunity to play a direct role in caring for their local environment. These trees will form part of a living legacy for Wicklow.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented, “Strengthening our ecological networks is fundamental to protecting biodiversity and building resilience to climate change. Initiatives like this planting at Bray Head contribute to a patchwork of habitats across the county, helping nature to function as a connected system while also bringing communities into the heart of delivery.”
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District and Cathaoirleach of the Climate and Biodiversity SPC, Cllr. Erika Doyle noted, “Last weekend’s tree planting on Bray Head was a huge success, not only because of the massive turnout and the number of trees planted, but because it fostered a sense of community, engagement with our environment and an awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the advantages of planting native species.”
Among the volunteers were people who have been planting in the area for decades alongside young children who had the opportunity to plant their first tree. After the initial rain the sun came out and there was a great atmosphere among the volunteers.
My thanks to everyone who turned up on the day. We would love to hold similar events in the future so watch this space.”
Wicklow County Council would like to thank all volunteers who took part, along with the community groups, suppliers and staff who helped to make the day such a success.
ENDS
IMAGE Volunteers at the Wicklow County Council native hedgerow planting day on Bray Head. Photo by Mick Kelly