Moy Park is supporting biodiversity in Ballymena through a range of tree and flower planting projects with local groups and schools.
Last year, the team planted 350 trees on the grounds of its facility in Ballymena with the help of students from Slemish College and Straid Nurseries and this year, with support from the parks and open spaces development team at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council the team planted a further 25 trees on site to enhance biodiversity in the area.
The team also planted a wildflower meadow and erected new planters provided by the local Men’s Shed, filled with flowers, provided by Straid Nurseries Ballymena whilst an educational piece, ‘how to plant your own tree’, was delivered for the pupils of Camphill Primary School by the parks and open spaces development team from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Chris Weir, General Manager Ballymena at Moy Park Ballymena:
“We’re committed to encouraging biodiversity in our local area and most importantly encouraging the younger generation to get involved. With our aim to reach net zero by at least 2040, projects like this continue to help us contribute to achieving this goal.
“We had a great day with local students and groups, helping educate and encourage them to champion biodiversity in their local area and we look forward to taking part in further activity in the future.”
Welcoming the activity, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Noel Williams, said:
“I am delighted Moy Park have undertaken to plant hundreds of trees and a blooming wildflower meadow on their grounds. This will bring many benefits to our local eco-systems and support our growing biodiversity. I look forward to seeing them all grow and thrive and provide a beautiful landscape in our local area.”
The activity follows the latest announcement from Moy Park that it received Platinum recognition for its biodiversity initiatives in the Business & Biodiversity Charter, delivered by Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) and Ulster Wildlife.
The top rank is in recognition of Moy Park’s focus on protecting and enhancing the environment through a range of nature-focused initiatives including schools’ outreach and community engagement, along with strategic partnerships and investments to enhance biodiversity at its sites across Northern Ireland.
