D Company Army Cadets based at Abbots Cross Army Reserve Centre in Newtownabbey is to plant 250 oak trees in Glas-na-Braden Glen as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”.
Residents are being encouraged to play their part to enhance the environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October to March and in the autumn.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has earmarked locations in each district electoral area for tree planting.
Speaking at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Operations Committee on Tuesday evening, Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster said:
“It is good to see local army cadets from Abbots Cross getting involved in this initiative especially in the Glas-na-Braden area of Rathcoole. The more groups coming forward to assist with this, the better.”
Glengormley Alliance councillor Alderman Julian McGrath described the tree planting as a “very appropriate initiative”.
The trees will be recorded on the council’s website as part of the local authority’s commitment to plant a million trees across the borough.
Commenting previously, Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Councillor BIlly Webb said:
“We are looking forward to working with our local community groups, schools, businesses and keen gardeners on planting projects to mark her majesty’s 70 years of service to this country.
“Trees are essential to our fight against climate change and every tree planted will bring benefits to people, wildlife and the environment, now and for the future.”