Centra stores across Fermanagh have sponsored the planting of 1,300 native trees in the area to help enhance biodiversity, improve air quality and absorb carbon dioxide.

In partnership with Trees on the Land, a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation, leading convenience brands SuperValu and Centra – part of Musgrave NI - launched the initiative last year, pledging to plant 50,000 native trees across Northern Ireland by 2032.

In 2022, 5,000 trees were planted across 13 locations in Northern Ireland, while a further 5,000 have been put in the ground in 17 locations this year.

Colleagues from SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland have supported the initiative by pulling on their wellies and visiting many of the tree planting locations.

In Enniskillen, St. Michaels’ Scout Group, which is developing a disused piece of land close to the Scout Hall, received 250 trees to establish a natural boundary and create a woodland area.

St. Michael’s scout leader, Declan Quinn, said: “We are working hard to transform this land into a woodland area for our scouts. They’ll be able to camp here and participate in more outdoor activities, so we’re delighted to have received these trees thanks to Centra and Trees on the Land.”

Shane Maguire from Lilley’s Centra Dublin Road in Enniskillen, who visited the Scout Group, added: “At Centra we choose to make a difference and are very pleased to sponsor the planting of these trees including at St Michael’s Scout Group. They will bring many benefits including further improving biodiversity and absorbing carbon, and we look forward to hearing how the trees grow over the years.”

Pupils from Enniskillen Integrated Primary School planted 50 trees as part of its Forest Schools project, while Lisgoole Abbey Estate has planted 250 trees along field boundaries to provide shelter and shade for livestock and increase biodiversity.

Emma Lynn, Eco-Schools co-ordinator at Enniskillen Integrated Primary School said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received these trees for our Forest School and welcome Stuart Roulston from Centra Trory to our school. The children have really enjoyed enhancing this woodland area and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn about the species and encourage wildlife to the area. We’d like to thank Centra for its support.”

In Irvinestown, local farmer Fred Farrelly who has had much success in his agri-forestry project by establishing trees while grazing livestock, received 200 trees for further planting, while local farmers Connor McBarron and Brian Donaldson were donated a total of 550 trees to establish and improve hedgerows around their farms.