Local landowner and naturalist Evan Newell has granted the 7th Meath Scouts Group permission to use 7.5 acres of his land, located behind the Dunshaughlin GAA club, to create a woodland and habitat that supports biodiversity and wildlife.
The project began on a positive note in March when Dunshaughlin’s scouting community united to plant an impressive 5,000 trees in a single day.
Using a method known as the “Miyawaki Forest Method”. This technique replicates a dense, multi-layered forest by planting trees in close proximity. This makes the trees to grow upward more rapidly as they compete for light.
The technique greatly boosts biodiversity, resulting in mature, diverse forests within just ten years. The selected tree mixes feature over 15 native species including oak, hawthorn, and scots pine.
These trees were provided by Reforest Nation which introduced the revolutionary “Miyawaki Forest Method” to Ireland. Reforest Nation, founded by 23-year-old wildlife biologist Gearóid McEvoy from Co Louth, is a social enterprise that has planted over one million trees in Ireland to date.
The latest boost to the scouts’ project comes from The Hare’s Corner Biodiversity Initiative which has pledged support through a custom ecologist-produced “Plan for Nature” for the Dunshaughlin site. The Hare’s Corner assists landowners and community groups in creating more space for nature.
Bláithín Crampton, leading the initiative on behalf of the Scouts Group, says the partnership is a great fit. “As a keen bird watcher and environmentalist, Evan Newell understands that it is diversity of plants and habitats that helps stabilize ecosystems” Crampton said.
Bláithín said that involving the community in developing the woodland is a great way to ensure its future protection and care. “We want our scouts to understand that if we build the habitats the wildlife will turn up. Scouting aims to do this by providing experiential learning…Through understanding and first-hand experience the kids will care about the other species we share our planet with”.
Alongside a traditional woodland, the scout group hopes to create a wildlife pond and an apple orchard. They are currently planting native Irish bluebell seeds in pots which they will transplant into their newly forming woodland in the spring.
The team also plans to build a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly den on the land, potentially including a “Nature Room” or other applicable provisions, pending planning considerations and local councillor support.
To make all this great work happen, the 7th Meath Scouts Group is appealing to local businesses for support.
Bláithín underlined they want to give kids the chance to “learn and grow along with the woodlands”. The Scout Group feels that “this is a great way to give back to our community… and give our scouts a responsibility to mould their environment for the benefit of all”.
Dunshaughlin Scout Group has turned 42 years old this year. Bláithín emphasized that getting this far “has taken the efforts of many great scouters past and present”.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank them and assure them that together, we can continue to nurture a love for nature and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and scouters alike”.
