SPAR National Tree Day
Thursday, 5th October 2023
Go Nuts about Nature and Plant a Tree on SPAR National Tree Day
2,000 FREE native Hazel tree saplings available for primary schools to plant on Thursday, 5th October 2023
September 2023: The Tree Council of Ireland, in partnership with SPAR, is calling on primary school children across the country to take the pledge and plant a tree on SPAR National Tree Day, Thursday, 5th October 2023. This year’s campaign, themed “Nuts about Nature”- “Fiáin chun Dúlra”, aims to encourage children, parents and teachers to connect directly with nature by planting one of the 2,000 Native Irish Hazel tree saplings available FREE to primary schools on www.treeday.ie.
SPAR National Tree Day offers a great opportunity for children and their teachers to step outside the classroom and foster a deeper understanding of trees and their role in nature. This year’s ‘Nuts about Nature’ campaign focuses on the native Hazel tree, also known as Corylus avellana or Crann Coll, which plays host to a diverse ecosystem and highlights its crucial role in supporting biodiversity as well as being the home for the campaign’s mascot, Sammy Squirrel.
According to Irish folklore, the Hazel tree is also steeped in wisdom and mystery, believed to be the first creation on Earth and a repository of universal knowledge. As the legend goes, when a salmon consumed the nuts that fell from the Hazel tree into the Well of Wisdom, it gained all the knowledge the tree bore, becoming the fabled Salmon of Knowledge.
The Tree Council of Ireland aims to share the wisdom and knowledge of the Hazel tree with children across the country this year, inviting them to truly go 'Nuts about Nature'! Cormac Downey, President of the Tree Council of Ireland, said: "This year's 'Nuts about Nature' campaign for SPAR National Tree Day is a fantastic way to ignite excitement about trees and nature among primary school children and their families nationwide. The deep-rooted connections between the Hazel tree and Irish folklore and wisdom make this campaign all the more special."
Commenting on the collaboration, SPAR Sales Director Colin Donnelly said, “As we celebrate our 60 years in business, we are delighted to contribute to a lasting legacy through SPAR's 'Team Tree' initiative in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland. As part of this, we are particularly proud to support increased awareness of the significance of trees through this year's ‘Nuts about Nature' campaign for SPAR National Tree Day.”
For those eager to embark on their own ‘Nuts about Nature’ adventure, SPAR offers a chance to win children’s gardening kits to practice gardening at home. Simply scan the QR code in store from 2nd to 16th October.
Additionally, an array of exciting resources such as videos, colouring sheets, and a delicious hazelnut spread recipe are available on www.treeday.ie, encouraging families and classmates to celebrate "Nuts about Nature" together.
To find out more about this year’s SPAR National Tree Day and for schools to claim their FREE native Irish Hazel tree visit www.treeday.ie.