SuperValu and Centra stores in County Fermanagh have been busy helping improve biodiversity in the area by sponsoring the planting of more than 1,000 native trees in the area.

Friends of St. Mary’s College in Irvinestown, St. Mary’s Primary School in Brookeborough, St. Mary’s Primary School in Newtownbutler, and Cancer Connect NI in Enniskillen have each received trees for their environmental projects, thanks to a partnership between the convenience retail brands (part of Musgrave NI) and Trees on the Land – a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation.

The project, which launched in 2022, saw 10,000 native trees planted across 30 locations across Northern Ireland in two years, while this year, a further 5,000 have been planted in 19 locations.

Friends of St. Mary’s College in Irvinestown received 500 trees to improve the school grounds and help educate about the benefits of biodiversity, while Cancer Connect NI planted 250 trees at ‘Moonlight Bay’ behind Portora Castle, an area used by clients to take part in Dragon Boat racing, which helps improve upper body strength following cancer treatment.

St. Mary’s College was delighted to receive a mix of native trees which are being planted for hedgerows to create a shelter belt and create areas of woodland.

In Newtownbutler, St. Mary’s Primary School received 400 trees to create a woodland area for the pupils to enjoy.

A further 67 trees were donated to St. Mary’s Primary School in Brookeborough, also to create a small woodland and develop the outdoor classroom.

All involved in receiving the trees were very grateful to their SuperValu and Centra stores, and to Musgrave NI, for helping to add some beautiful biodiversity and add to the area’s natural charms, with the trees sure to welcomed by their wider communities for many years to come, improving biodiversity and absorbing carbon.

Shown here is just one of the tree presentations, with Year 1 and 2 pupils from St. Mary’s PS, Brookeborough pictured with some of the trees which were presented to the school.

They’re pictured with teachers Mrs. McDonnell (left), Mrs. Little (second left) and Janice Smyton (right), manager of Frazer’s Centra in Maguiresbridge.