Scouts take the lead on innovative biodiversity project in Dunshaughlin

AN exciting community biodiversity project has taken root in the heart of Dunshaughlin, thanks to local landowner and naturalist, Evan Newell, who has licensed 7.5 acres of his land behind Dunshaughlin GAA club to the 7th Meath Scouts Group to develop into a woodland and a habitat to support biodiversity and wildlife.

The project got off to an encouraging start in March when Dunshaughlin’s scouting community came together and planted a staggering 5,000 trees in one day, using the innovative “Miyawaki Forest Method”.

The method mimics a dense multi-layered woodland. Trees are planted close together and compete for light encouraging them to grow upward faster. This approach significantly enhances carbon sequestration and biodiversity, creating mature, biodiverse forests in just a decade. The trees mix chosen are a native mix of over 15 different species including oak, willow, alder, birch, hawthorn, hazel, Scots pine, rowan and bird cherry.

The trees were gifted thanks to Reforest Nation who introduced the revolutionary 'Miyawaki Forest Method' to Ireland. Reforest Nation was founded by Gearóid McEvoy, a 23-year-old wildlife biologist from Co Louth. The company, set up as a social enterprise, has planted over one million trees in Ireland to date.

The latest boost to the scouts' project has come from The Hare’s Corner Biodiversity Initiative, which has pledged its support in the form of a bespoke ecologist-produced ‘Plan for Nature’ for the Dunshaughlin site. The Hare’s Corner is an initiative to help landowners and community groups make more space for nature.

Bláithín Crampton, who is 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 stabilise ecosystems," said Bláithín.

He has established many such habitats around his land already and he is actively supporting the Scouts on this project," she added.

"It is also fantastic to get such expert support and guidance from The Hare's Corner. Everything Is falling into place. We have the location, the guidance and the person-power to make it happen."

Having the community play a part in the development of the woodland is a great way to ensure it is protected and nurtured in the future according to Bláithín who said:

"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, let's build the wildlife pond and let the kids see first-hand how long it will take for the wildlife to turn up.

"We are hoping for frogs, newts, dragonflies and all the native Irish wildlife that is struggling to find a home. Through understanding & 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 establish a wildlife pond, hazel and willow coppice, and an apple orchard. The group is currently planting native Irish bluebell seeds in pots, which they will plant out in plugs in the spring into their newly forming woodland. The team has a site on the land where they plan to build a state of the art, environmentally friendly, den. The team has a potential site on the land where they hope to build a state of the art, environmentally friendly, scouts den. Evan has agreed to be part of such an initiative, and this may include a “Nature Room” or other appropriate facilities subject to planning considerations and local councillor support.

In order to make all of this great work happen, the 7th Meath Scouts Group is now appealing to local businesses to come forward to support them. If this local environmental project is something that your business would like to support, the 7th Meath Scouts Group would love to hear from you.

Scouting is experiencing a resurgence in recent years as people realise the importance nature and the outdoors has on our physical and mental health. The 7th Meath Scouts are keen to recruit new members to actively support this exciting journey.

Blaithin added: "We want to do as much as possible ourselves, giving the kids the opportunity to learn and grow along with the woodlands. We feel that this is a great way to give back to our community, support biodiversity and give our scouts a responsibility to mould their environment for the benefit of all.

"7th Meath Scout group is 42 years old and getting to this point 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 & scouters alike."