“Bugs, bees and native trees” project beds down in St James’s Hospital

Local bee keeper helps hospital staff plant trees in initiative aimed at individuals and organisations to plant ten native trees

Friday 24 September saw St James’s Hospital plant 10 birch trees in the MISA courtyard. This was part of a countrywide project ‘Bugs, Bees and Native Trees’ which was co-founded by Professor Rose Anne Kenny, director of the Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA) and Dr David Mulcahy and Professor Ronan Mullan (Tallaght University Hospital).

Local beekeeper, Anthony Freeman, of Bee8 and Órla Veale from Smart D8 joined the founders and SJH CEO, Mary Day for the planting.

The ‘Bugs, Bees and Native Trees’ project is encouraging individuals and organisations to take part in a tree-planting campaign from 12 - 14 November. It aims to plant 50,000 trees across the island of Ireland.

CEO, St James’s Hospital, Mary Day participated in the tree planting event, saying: “As the largest acute hospital in the country, St James’s Hospital is committed to being a leader in sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. Our patients and staff alike benefit from more nature and green space on our campus - but so do our neighbours who live in this community.”

For more details on the initiative, as well as information on native Irish trees and tips for planting, you can visit www.bugsbeesandnativetrees.com