Ardmac supports “Orchards in the Community” to plant over 3,500 orchards across Island of Ireland
Bees are essential to our food system, they pollinate over 100 crops that we rely on for food. To help protect bees, increase pollination and support bio-diversity, Ardmac is delighted to participate in Host in Ireland’s “Orchards in the Community” initiative for the third year running by planting 100 fruit trees.
Ardmac is one of 73 pledging companies that have contributed to the planting of over 3587 mixed fruit orchards (17,935 trees) across the Island of Ireland. As part of the programme, 222 schools and colleges and 171 community groups from tidy towns, retirement homes, community centres, local sports facilities have received and planted orchards in their communities.
Orchards provide vital green spaces in our cities and towns and with 33% of our 99 wild bee species at risk of extinction, these orchards provide bees with food as they struggle when emerging from winter.
Since 2021 we have been working with the community to plant trees in local schools, nursing homes, youth centres and other community groups as well as our own team planting in their gardens. We know that orchards are important habitats. They make ideal homes for thousands of flora and fauna.
“Orchards are a focal point for communities to connect people with nature. Growing orchards in the community helps raise awareness of our connection to our food sources and play an important role in biodiversity and the plight of bees in Ireland.” said Garry Connolly, founder, Host in Ireland. “That spirit of community is alive and well with ‘Orchards in the Community’ as organisations like Ardmac come together with biodiversity groups, schools, colleges, Tidy Towns and others across Ireland to tackle challenges like biodiversity loss to save Ireland’s pollinators.”
We are so proud to be part of this fantastic initiative, promoting biodiversity on the Island of Ireland.
