Zurich employees volunteer help to ‘free the trees’ at Fernhill Park

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (DLR) County Council took over the running of Fernhill Park in 2016. The objective was to create a sustainable public park that can be used and enjoyed by the local community, while protecting the natural heritage, flora and fauna of the site.

Several years ago, the park engaged a contractor to plant woodland trees around the running track. Unfortunately, they used plastic which is non-degradable for the tree spirals to prevent rabbits eating the base. These spirals get blown off, are brittle and are becoming a litter problem. The park staff asked for our help to remove as many as possible of these guards and leave the trees to thrive plastic free.

This year,18 Zurich employees took time out of their working day and managed to remove plastic from 5,000 tree saplings in Fernhill Park. This was a fantastic achievement in a short space of time. Those volunteering also received a talk on biodiversity and sustainable practices from DLR in Fernhill Park.

Zurich employees are also invited to get involved in the Fernhill community garden. This is open to all local community gardeners and its members aim to promote, facilitate and enhance community gardening and food growing, sustainability and environmental initiatives.