Stepping Stone Forests go Northside

THE first ever Stepping Stone Forest soil preparation on the Northside took place on Thursday, September 29.

Dodder Action volunteers plus members of the Blakestown Drive Community Group (BDCG) joined forces with students of Blakestown to prepare the school soil for tree planting next spring.

Stepping Stone Forests are small, urban, densely planted woodlands using native species of trees and shrubs.

Due to the dense nature of the planting the trees and shrubs grow very rapidly. Stepping Stone Forests are inspired by a planting method first pioneered by world renowned botanist Prof. Akira Miyawaki.

Up until now these forests had only ever been planted on the Southside in Tallaght and Clondalkin.

With funding made available by AWS InCommunities the Stepping Stone Forest canopy has spread from these pioneer areas.

The soil preparation involves laying down layers of carboard, which is then covered with a generous layer of woodchip mulch.

These layers were put down in a large horseshoe shape, creating an outdoor learning space for current and future Blakestown students to use for decades to come.

Not only did AWS InCommunities provide the funding they also sent six employees along to help with the work and to ensure the event was a huge success.

Maria Tormey of Blakestown Drive Community Group said:

“This links in to our local project, CitiVerde Imagining an Urban Oasis.

“What a truly worthwhile project, designed to bring joy and happiness to a lot of people. The efforts of the students that helped out on the day was very inspirational.”

Fingal Councillor Pamela Conroy of the Green Party who also voluteered at the soil preparation event said:

“It was a fantastic, well run event which saw students and volunteers working together to improve their local environment.

“The work that was done in a few short hours was amazing and I can’t wait to go back and plant the trees.”

Treasurer of Dodder Action Caragh Coote added:

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with the students, the Blakestown Drive Community Group, and the AWS employees.

“We were made feel very welcome and everyone worked so hard. We will be delighted to travel Northside for the next school event in Luttrellstown Community College.”

Six schools in the Blanchardstown area are participating in the current tree planting cycle that lasts from now until mid-March 2023. All Stepping Stone Forests in the area are being financed by AWS InCommunities and the work will be done by BDCG volunteers and other local community groups, Dodder Action volunteers, and members of the school population.

The remaining five schools included in the current phase are:

Luttrellstown Community College

St Francis Xavier SNS, Blanchardstown

St Lukes NS, Tyrellstown

Ladyswell NS, Mulhuddart

Scoil Mhuire SNS, Blakestown

New volunteers are always welcome, so if you would like to play your part in this amazing project please make contact with the organisers using info@steppingstoneforests.org