Microsoft Ireland volunteers pictured as the tree planting got underway at the ACE Enterprise Park in Clondalkin
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From Clondalkin to Clonburris new communities are being developed and expanded across the Dublin urban area.
This investment in infrastructure and development is set to secure a thriving future for the city and make sure the region remains an attractive place to live, work and do business for its residents.
With this growth it is important that communities continue to preserve, protect, and enhance natural spaces and biodiversity.
To support the development of more sustainable communities in West Dublin, Microsoft Ireland recently joined forces with Trees on the Land, an environmental tree planting charity project, for an initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity in the local area.
More than 50 Microsoft Ireland volunteers took part in the initiative which planted 12,456 trees across seven different sites in West Dublin, including ACE Enterprise Park, Peamount United Football Club, Round Towers GAA, and the Ó Cualann housing development in Killinarden.
Building on the success of last year’s tree planting, which helped to restore over 2 acres of woodland in Peamount Hospital and surrounding areas, it brings the total number of trees planted by Microsoft Ireland volunteers across West Dublin to over 20,000.
This year, volunteers came together at each of the sites to improve existing landscape infrastructure by planting mixed native tree cover and create more natural green spaces.
Over twelve different tree species were planted across the various sites including alder, birch, and sessile oak, which in turn will help to reduce air pollution in the local community as the woodland matures.
New native hedgerows were strategically planted near roads to help reduce noise pollution from traffic and provide another layer of foliage cover for communities to relax and better enjoy the natural surroundings.
At the ACE Enterprise Park, a wide array of native, fruit bearing trees were planted on the site to benefit local wildlife by providing a valuable source of food and shelter for birds, insects and other fauna.
“Our collaboration with Microsoft Ireland and Trees on Land was an inspiring example of efficient teamwork and environmental stewardship,” says Lisa Rowntree, CEO at ACE Enterprise Park, “We’re proud to be part of such impactful initiatives that leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Imogen Rabone, Project Coordinator at Trees on the Land, points to the work of the volunteers in bringing the initiative to life and giving back to the local community, “We are so pleased to have worked with Microsoft to bring this native tree planting project to the Dublin area.
These trees would not have been planted without the funding support given by Microsoft. I’d like to thank Microsoft for their generous support and for the super efforts of their volunteer teams giving huge help to the planting work on the ground.”
As part of the initiative, Microsoft also worked together with Clondalkin Tidy Towns to donate native trees to members of the local community.
These donations helped to ensure the landscape of the town was being enhanced in areas where support was most needed and improve the overall health and wellbeing of its residents.
Reflecting on the initiative, Lavinia Morris, General Manager, EMEA Data Centre Operations at Microsoft, highlights its success in fostering sustainability in the local area, “At Microsoft, we’re committed to advancing a more sustainable future across our operations around the globe, as well as the communities in which we operate.
That’s why we were proud to work with communities across West Dublin on this important initiative and empower them to enhance local biodiversity.
“By collaborating with ACE Enterprise park, Clondalkin Tidy Towns and other community groups, we were able to plant over 12,000 trees and help to improve the natural environment in the area.
I’d like to thank Trees on the Land for helping to make the initiative a success and look forward to further engagement with the community over the coming months.”
The tree planting initiative is one of many steps that Microsoft is taking to empower local communities in West Dublin.
Last December, together with Maynooth University, Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education, we announced the national expansion of the STEM Passport for Inclusion.
A number of schools in the local area, including Lucan Community College, St Paul’s Secondary School in Greenhills and St Joseph’s Lucan, are participating in the initiative, which helps to address existing inequities in accessing STEM careers by providing education and mentoring supports to encourage students to pursue STEM at third level.
To learn more about how Microsoft is empowering communities in West Dublin, visit: HERE
