Public urged to make submissions on Forest of Fingal Draft Tree Strategy

Fingal County Council is encouraging submissions and observations on the draft Forest of Fingal Tree Strategy as part of the public consultation process which is closing shortly.

The Public Consultation is now in its final week and ends on March 28, which coincides with National Tree Week 2021 which runs from March 21 to 27.

The revision of Fingal’s Tree Strategy reflects the Council’s continued commitment to protecting the County’s precious natural resources and assets. Trees enhance our citizens’ health & wellbeing and quality of life and will help to secure a sustainable future in Fingal.

The consultation process is intended to provide the public with an opportunity to examine the objectives, policies and actions outlined in the draft Strategy and to suggest changes as appropriate.

The many benefits associated with trees have possibly never been as widely appreciated as during the last 12 months.

It is increasingly understood that green infrastructure including trees, hedgerows and open spaces are vital elements of a sustainable and healthy society.

The Council manages over 2,000 hectares of public open space and many public parks in the county have significant stands of woodland framing important and often iconic landscapes.

Fingal also has approximately 70,000 trees located in streets and residential open spaces, most of which are maintained by the local authority.

The Council recognises how significant urban trees and green space have helped to shape the landscape of towns and villages across the county.

The Draft Tree Strategy document has been prepared in the context of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024, Biodiversity Action Plan and Open Space Strategy. 

The Draft Strategy can be viewed on the on-line consultation portal where you can also have your say on its contents at https://consult.fingal.ie/browse or in writing to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin K67 X8Y2

With Level 5 restrictions remaining in place during National Tree Week 2021, there will unfortunately be no associated public events.

To celebrate the week, the Council will plant native specimen oak trees as a commemoration to lost loved ones at each of the following public parks:

·       Ardgillan Demesne

·       Newbridge Demesne

·       Santry Demesne

·       Malahide Demesne

·       St. Catherine’s Park in Lucan

·       Millennium Park

·       Ward Rivervalley Park