COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 13, 2023

MOTION NO.6

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

In line with the Biodiversity and Climate Emergencies declared for South Dublin County in 2019, that this Council commits to a rapid roll-out of Mini-Woodlands / Stepping Stone Forests at suitable locations countywide with the support of local community groups and with a target of 25,000 trees by the end of this term.

REPORT:

To date a number of mini-woodlands have been planted across South Dublin County with assistance from local community and tidy towns groups.  A pilot project was initially undertaken at Sean Walsh Park which consisted of 3 distinct locations of 100 square metres each being planted with a totla of 1,200 trees planted over the 300 square metre area. The progress of this pilot scheme is being monitored with trees being measured as required and this project is considered to be progressing well. Since that pilot scheme a further two locations have been planted as mini-woodlands and these are at Mill Lane in Palmerstown and at Greenhills Park with a further 1,200 trees planted at each location.

An information leaflet is being developed to inform and assist community and tidy towns groups who may be interested in taking part in this type of planting project, and also to inform private landowners who may wish to plant a mini-woodland on their own lands.  It is intended that proposals to plant additional mini-woodlands will be included in future tree planting programmes for the county.  Potential locations for such planting schemes are being examined and considered in the context of existing land use, existing ecology and management and maintenance resources available, to ensure the successful establishment and on-going management of mini-woodlands.  The selction of suitable locations will be informed by both the Council tree management policy and also by the green infrastructure strategy and it is expected that a number of such schemes will be included in the tree planting programme for the current year.