“The Elm Tree Project” involved 4 young people aged between 14-17 from Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. These 4 young people planned and prepared their Nature Based Initiative between July 2024 and April 2025.
There were also other young people aged between 11- 16 in the youth project and Surrounding areas which participated. Also members of the travelling community, elderly members from the community and parents participated in the NBI.
The nature based initiative was carried out directly in front of the youth centre in Elm Park, a housing estate in Clonmel that is experiencing disadvantage.
The plan was to develop and improve a green area outside the centre by planting a number of native trees including apple trees, birch, silver birch and a centre piece of an Elm Tree as the project is in Elm Park. This proved to be a highlight of the project. Wild flower seed were also planted near the trees which will hopefully be visible soon.
The NBI has expanded to work on another green area at the back of the centre which will be ongoing during the summer.
This NBI was a complete success in which the whole community came together and continues to care for the trees and green area. The 4 young people have a renewed and growing respect for the surrounding nature and have many new plans for the housing estate in which they live and play.
