Why HomeTree is the perfect corporate gift this ChristmasThere are a few things we hold dear here at Fitzgerald Power – and one of those is giving back. We want to give back as much as we can, which is how we got involved with Hometree, a registered charity based around the planting and conserving of permanent native woodland in Ireland, encouraging land regeneration and biodiversity through afforestation, restoration and education. Just this year, Fitzgerald Power partnered with Hometree providing pro-bono advisory support and funding towards The Hometree East project, which will establish an eastern hub for the organisation in Avoca, Co. Wicklow, providing a location for visitor education and engagement within one hour of Dublin. Why Hometree?Everything Hometree kicked off back in 2015, where co-founders Matt Smith and Mitchell Corbett saw how important it was for people to connect with nature while making use of a small community garden. Five years on, the organisation has planted over 30,000 pioneer trees – made up of Scots Pine, Willow and Alder – while hundreds of people have contributed time and resources to the vision of incorporating more trees into the Irish landscape, bringing all the benefits that woodlands create.With the issue of climate change never feeling more pressing, and the appreciation for the great outdoors never higher than the past two years, partnering with Hometree was a no brainer for us. We’re thrilled to be providing support to Matt and his team as Hometree grows and develops and are keen to spread the message of his work. So, why don’t we let him tell it…“Our work is to establish and conserve permanent native woodland in Ireland, encouraging land regeneration and biodiversity through afforestation, restoration and education,” Smith says. Benefits of tree plantingAccording to Matt, the benefits of tree planting and conservation are endless, including carbon sequestration and water filtration to habitat provision. For riparian woodlands (those beside rivers), tree conversation plays an important part in conserving and expanding woodland biodiversity. And when it comes to hedgerows and shelter, tree planting helps to limit airborne disease by allowing wildlife such as birds, bats and butterflies to move through the countryside and along hedgerows rather than across open fields. ‘‘Hundreds of the trees we planted, in the beginning, are now over three metres tall,” he says. “I’ve seen birds flying through them and balance on their branches, other animals eating and finding shelter and building homes beneath them and this is just in the first few years. We look forward to witnessing the journey from saplings into adolescence. At Hometree we know that we might not see many (if any) reach maturity but it was a blast planting them and it’s been such a pleasure to work beside so many passionate people in the simple task of planting trees.”Having worked with hundreds of fellow tree planters Matt says: “It’s just an amazing way to connect with other people and create a more abundant countryside at the same time.” He loves being part of a worldwide movement of people who are committed to regeneration and also inspiring people to give it a go: “Plant a tree, I bet you’ll love it!” What can we do?Following almost two years of uncertainty, panic and reevaluations of what’s really important, Fitzgerald Power is all for celebrating the now and celebrating it well. For these reasons and more, we’re thrilled to say we’re working with Hometree to plant 1,000 trees on behalf of our clients and contacts. For those keen on sustainable gifting, you can’t get much better than pledging for trees to be planted or conserved in your name. It also saves on wrapping…Let us get back to our roots (pun intended) and give a gift that won’t spend the rest of its life in a landfill. To pledge for trees to be planted for you or as a gift to someone you love, donate whatever you can on the Hometree website here. All woodlands created by Hometree will be planted and managed according to the best available advice provided by our ecological advisors.Get in touch with HometreeFind out more about Hometree, their plans for the future and how you can get involved today, by calling Matt on +353877059979 or emailing him at matt@hometree.ie.Further Articles How veganism is revolutionising the food industryWe’re in a protein substitute revolution, or so the experts say. With health and… Read Blog Market Pulse Report Q3 2021Analysis of the key trends in the Irish SME sector. Read Blog
