The Problem

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We are living through a climate and ecological emergency but have a 10 year window of opportunity to mitigate against these looming crises. Despite repeated warnings of the catastrophic impacts of climate breakdown, a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness and wider disconnect from nature exists for many, particularly for those living in urban settings.

The climate crisis and public health are inextricably linked. Air pollution is a leading cause of premature death and illness and is most prevalent in urban centres where 64% of Irish population now live. We know that street trees can protect our cities and improve both our physical and mental health, but they are routinely felled if deemed a hindrance. This behaviour is selfish and reckless. Additionally there is little active management planning towards developing and sustaining a healthy mature tree canopy in our urban environment into the future. While many European cities are leading transformative ‘urban greening’ projects to protect against extreme weather events and improve the quality of life for citizens, Ireland’s current ambitions are incredibly limited.

Edited

Despite increased awareness of the catastrophic impacts of climate breakdown, a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness and wider disconnect from nature exists for many, particularly for those living in urban settings. We know that street trees can protect our cities and improve both our physical and mental health, but they are routinely felled if deemed a hindrance. This behaviour is selfish and reckless. There is little active management planning towards developing and sustaining a mature tree canopy in our urban environment into the future. While many European cities are leading transformative ‘urban greening’ projects to protect against extreme weather events and improve the quality of life, Ireland’s current ambitions are incredibly limited.

The Solution

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The greening of our cities through street tree planting, creation of urban pocket forests and giving more room to nature will protect ourselves against adverse weather events while ensuring our urban landscapes are vibrant and healthy for citizens and future generations to enjoy.

A holistic approach is essential. Increased central government funding is required to enable local city councils lead out on ambitious re-greening projects. These budgets must be protected and guaranteed to facilitate long term planning. Ongoing biodiversity management must be led by local communities. It is vital that local residents are empowered to do so and encouraged to participate in climate action. Ambitious, measurable biodiversity targets must be established which can be reported on periodically. Minimum biodiversity quotas for all urban centres must be agreed to address a ‘green apartheid’ which currently exists across many Irish towns and cities. A National Biodiversity Office should be established to provide expert services and advice to the public and champion best practice in re-greening efforts.

Edited

The good news is that solutions are available and there are many exciting initiatives being progressed already at grass roots level. However, a holistic approach which encompasses central and local government, businesses and the wider public is needed for our climate and biodiversity ambitions to be realised. This includes increased, protected central government funding to enable local city councils lead out on ambitious, long term re-greening projects, empowering local communities to manage biodiversity projects and agreeing consistent, measurable biodiversity targets to address the ‘green apartheid’ which currently exists across many Irish towns and cities.

Our Values

We see a future where biodiversity and urban forests thrive within our towns and cities; a future where the health of our natural world is seen as essential component of a healthy, functioning and equitable society.

Our Mission

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We believe that an essential human connection with the natural world has been lost, particularly within our urban environs. While most of us like and enjoy nature in our public spaces, little value is placed on it across society. We want to change this.

Too often mature street trees are felled without hesitation, biodiversity deemed unessential within the urban planning process and vital ecological systems destroyed should they interfere with major infrastructure projects.

Similarly efforts to conserve and protect our existing biodiversity and ensure long term sustainability of our urban forests through succession planting is piecemeal and lacking necessary ambition. In the midst of a climate and ecological emergency this is unacceptable. Read more on the problem here.

However, change is possible and already in motion through a myriad of exciting local initiatives led by activists and volunteers. We want to support existing and emerging projects by ensuring urban nature and biodiversity is at the forefront of local and central government policy. mention North Eastern City Greening!

There needs to be a coherent, coordinated, holistic greening strategy………. (must be solution number 1!)

Reconnect People with Nature

Through activism, community involvement, education and shared learning and experiences, our connection with the natural world can be reinvigorated

We understand that urban centres should be built on regenerative principles, that everything in life and the environment is connected.

We believe diverse plant species in public spaces can act as a vital window into the natural world for urban inhabitants, helping to capture imaginations and generate a lasting interest in nature.

We want to awaken people to the stark absence of trees in so much of our urban environs and work to end the “Green Apartheid” which exists across our cities and suburbs. This will help to ensure the benefits of mature trees are enjoyed by all future generations no matter where they live.  All suburbs should be leafy suburbs.

Connecting with nature makes people come alive and nourishes the senses. We are at a turning point. We understand that cities need to be built on regenerative principles, as we start to grasp how everything in life and the environment is connected.

Read about the Benefits here.

How will we get there???

Educate

We want to foster a shared understanding and appreciation of trees and their benefits in the urban environment, from mitigating against the climate and biodiversity crises, to purifying our cities air and our improving mental health.

Campaign / Lobby / Unify for change / Structure ??

Structural change needed for funding of regreening projects in urban areas….more needed

We will promote appropriate tree planting in traditional and novel locations and empower communities to lobby for and take ownership of local tree planting initiatives.

We also recognise the importance of allowing space for the natural regeneration of nature and ‘rewilding’ initiatives in appropriate spaces and will support and advocate for the establishment of a national programme for wilding our communities

We advocate for the planting of both native and non-native species in our city. Cities are microclimates and unique habitats in themselves. Planting of natives is crucial to enhance biodiversity particularly in areas of concentrated trees where mini ecosystems and city forests cans be created. Additionally we acknowledge the value of non-native species within urban environs. They help generate an interest in the diversity and wonders of trees and often thrive in the unique micro climate of cities. Planting and maintaining a variety of trees will protect the stock and improve biodiversity.

Equity of Provision /

We want to end the “Green Apartheid” which exists across our cities and suburbs. This will help to ensure the benefits of mature trees are enjoyed by all future generations no matter where they live.  All suburbs should be leafy suburbs.

Create a sense of identify within communities!

LINK TO OR ADD MAP OF DUBLIN!!

Green Corridors / City Planning / Mapping

We will work to identify, promote and collaborate on the development of “Green corridors” across Dublin by linking dense urban forests on parklands with carefully planned street tree planting and protected shrublands. 

Collaboration

We will engage with local councils to identify existing barriers and work towards satisfactory resolution and work with local communities to encourage them to take an interest in the selection, planting and care of trees on their streets and green spaces.

Engage

we will create online platforms to build support and a common cause for biodiversity initiatives projects ensure it is at the forefront of council work.

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Our Values

We see a future where biodiversity and urban forests thrive within our towns and cities; a future where the health of our natural world is seen as essential component of a healthy, functioning and equitable society.

Our Mission (Edited)

We want to awaken people to the stark absence of trees and biodiversity in so many of our towns and cities and foster a shared understanding of their many benefits.

Increasing the number and diversity of plant species in public spaces can act as a vital window into the natural world for urban inhabitants, helping to capture imaginations, nourish the senses and generate a lasting interest in nature. We understand that urban centres should be built on regenerative principles, that everything in life and the environment is connected. To this end a coherent, coordinated and holistic greening strategy is required to for transformative, lasting change to be delivered. Central government will essential in developing the overarching frameworks, while local councils and communities will need to be empowered to deliver and maintain urban greening projects.

We want to end the “Green Apartheid” which exists across our cities and suburbs by ensuring equitable funding for greening projects and prioritisation of communities with little existing green spaces or biodiversity. The social benefits of urban tree planting projects apply to all communities and mature tree canopies should be enjoyed by all future generations no matter where they live.  All suburbs should be leafy suburbs.

We want to support and promote the many exciting local greening projects are already in motion, led primarily by activists and volunteers and create biodiversity networks where ideas and experiences can be shared.

We will promote appropriate tree planting in traditional and novel locations and empower communities to lobby for and take ownership of local tree planting initiatives. We advocate for the planting of both native and non-native species in our city. Planting of natives is crucial to enhance biodiversity particularly in areas of concentrated trees where mini ecosystems and city forests cans be created. Additionally we acknowledge the value of non-native species within urban environs which help to generate an interest in the diversity and wonders of trees, and often thrive in the unique micro climate of cities. 

We also recognise the importance of allowing space for the natural regeneration of nature in appropriate spaces and will advocate for the establishment of a national programme to rewild our urban communities.

We will work to identify, promote and collaborate on the development of “Green corridors” across Dublin by linking dense urban forests on parklands with carefully planned street tree planting and protected shrublands. 

We will engage with local councils to identify existing barriers and work towards satisfactory resolution and work with local communities to encourage them to take an interest in the selection, planting and care of trees on their streets and green spaces.

Lastly we will use our website and other online platforms to build support and a common cause for biodiversity initiatives and allow the public to ‘Get Involved’ by participating in the Urban Tree Revival.