Galway schoolchildren receive free trees as part of green community initiative

Some 160 trees have been given to schoolchildren across two North Galway primary schools – as part of a group water scheme initiative to protect water quality and enhance biodiversity in the locality by encouraging householders to stop using pesticides.

The initiative – called ‘I’ve planted a tree and my garden is pesticide free’ –  has been rolled out by Glinsk-Creggs Group Water Scheme (GWS), with pupils in Glinsk National School and Creggs National School each receiving a native tree to plant at home along with educational materials that raise awareness about the dangers that pesticides pose to drinking water and the wider environment.

The group water scheme is taking part in a wider National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) drinking water source protection project that aims to improve the quality of its Lough Lune drinking water source through a range of physical mitigation measures and community awareness initiatives.

Pesticides are an issue of concern for group water schemes, with just one drop of pesticide/weed killer — the equivalent of the amount of residue found on a pesticide bottle’s foil cap — enough to contaminate a 30km stretch of a stream. Their use also has a damaging impact on biodiversity and the wider aquatic environment.

Joe Gallagher, the NFGWS representative on the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group, explained the purpose of the initiative.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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