Back in 2016, the nation was fairly disgusted to learn that one-third of children in Ireland had never climbed a tree.
The survey of just over 1,000 people was carried out to mark Tree Week almost three years ago, and a new survey has a revealed that the situation has only gotten worse.
According to the Irish Times, a sample survey, carried out by the Tree Council of Ireland, found that the number of children who have never climbed a tree has now risen to 40%.
Speaking at the opening of a new woodland walkway through King William’s Glen, Environmentalist Éanna Ní Lamhna urged that Irish children be “less mollycoddled” as parents were encouraged to get kids out and about in nature and away from screens.
The new Belnumber Walkway will take people along the ridge of the ancient townland of Belnumber, down the length of King William’s Glen, and will then join a 3.2km Coillte walkway through Townley Hall wood.
Tree Week, organised by Coillte and The Tree Council, kicks off next week with a number of tree-planting events scheduled all around the country.
