Plans for national Tree Day that will see thousands of primary schoolchildren abandon classrooms and head for their local forest next week were unveiled this morning.
It is hoped children from 3,500 primary schools will take part in guided woodland walks at 100 sites around the country next Thursday, October 17th.
According to the Tree Council, Tree Day, first held in 1997, is designed to enlighten children by making them aware of the "magic, beauty and importance" of trees. Over 100,000 pupils are estimated to have taken part in a woodland walk during last year's event.
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, attended the announcement of the day in Balrath Wood in Co Meath. The wood is being developed by the Tree Council of Ireland as an "outdoor classroom" or an interpretive woodland.
The guided walks are being organised with the co-operation of Coillte, the Forest Service; Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Islands; and Dublin local authorities.