TREE PLANTING: Students from St Brendan's College helping Killarney Lions Club members John Fuller (horticulturist and President KLC) and member Denis Doolan.

By Michelle Crean

Killarney town has turned greener as part of a new environmental initiative and hard work of locals.

Transition Year students from the three secondary schools, St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School, Killarney Community College and St. Brendan’s College, got out their equipment and helped to plant 80 trees on a site next to the Michael D. O’Shea roundabout just outside the town.

The Killarney Lions Club project aims to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity by encouraging everyone to think about how they could contribute to Killarney’s world-famous natural heritage.

It is the first initiative by Killarney Lions Club to help ensure long-term environmental sustainability for the community, and was made possible thanks to a Community Enhancement Programme grant from Kerry County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

“At this stage it is clear that we all need to be more conscious of protecting the environment to ensure it is there for the benefit of future generations," President of Killarney Lions Club, John Fuller, said. "That’s why we felt it would be appropriate to undertake this project in conjunction with the local secondary schools, to add to the great work they are doing to raise environmental awareness among their students.”

Eileen O’Donoghue, Killarney Municipal District Officer at Kerry County Council, added that the Council are delighted to be on board with such a project.

“This is a fantastic initiative by Killarney Lions Club in association with the three secondary schools, and Kerry County Council is delighted to have been able to support through the Community Enhancement Programme.”