A host of volunteers have helped created a Diversity Garden to boost the biodiversity at St. Julian's Road Park in Omagh.

This group, made up of people from various ethnic backgrounds, delivered the project on Saturday 27 November with help from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's Biodiversity and Good Relations Officers and guided by The Conservation Volunteers. Each volunteer planted a tree, symbolic with their culture, as a gesture of diversity, both biodiversity and cultural diversity.

-- Advertisement --

The event also marked the start of National Tree Week which takes place from 27 November – 05 December 2021.

Trees are vital in the fight against climate change as they absorb atmospheric carbon and store it in their trunks, leaves and roots, through the process of photosynthesis. A young wood made up of mixed tree species can store more than 400 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Trees also help to clean the air, reduce pollution and support local wildlife.

Speaking in advance of National Tree Week, the Chair, Councillor Errol Thompson said: "Following on from COP26 and the launch of the Council's Climate Change and Sustainable Development Action Plan, it is important that we all play our part in reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing our natural spaces. Therefore, planting trees and protecting existing woodlands is vital to reduce global warming and increase biodiversity, going low carbon and high nature."