Turning community space into a Garden of Eden

IMAGINE an oasis of fruit trees, nut trees, fruit bushes and leafy green perennial vegetables, all in the heart of your own community – as an environmental education project for all.
A Garden of Eden Project is basically a local community garden that is designed to have an abundance of fruit and nuts ripening year after year. Ennis-based Garden of Eden Projects Ireland is helping people to design and plant their own community gardens for education, environmental improvement and fun.
The project is a community initiative that was set up in 2007 to address the dual challenges of peak oil and climate change in a constructive, positive and fun manner. By planting trees that produce food crops each year, we not only go a small way towards reducing imports and the fuel savings associated with that, but also perhaps pause to consider other ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and keep our oil usage to a minimum. In addition, trees planted soak up atmospheric carbon.
Garden of Eden Projects Ireland has received funding again this year to encourage and assist local community groups in planting their own mini Garden of Eden projects.
The funding has been made available from Clare County Council and the Department of the Environment under the Local Agenda 21 funding programme for environmental projects.
Applications are now invited from schools, residents’ associations, sports grounds and members of the public for funding towards fruit and nut trees for planting in open community spaces around the county.
Earlier this month, a Clare Champion article highlighted the work of An tSean Dún residents on the Tulla Road, where they have begun a number of exciting projects within their estate, including their own Garden of Eden project on a piece of underutilised land.
Spearheaded by resident Peter Brigdale, this project will hopefully see many productive harvests ahead where the whole community can share in the autumn bounty.
If you want to find out how you can organise your own Garden of Eden project and avail of part funding for fruit and nut trees in your housing estate, school, church or other community area, contact Garden of Eden Projects at www.wetlandsystems.ie/gardenofedenproject.html or call 065 6797355.