**Branching Out for Tomorrow: Abbeyleix Tidy Towns' Edible Landscape Program**

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns is excited to share news about its Edible Landscape program, an initiative that has been growing for the past two years. To date, we've planted 150 fruit trees at 21 spots around Abbeyleix, and this winter, we're adding 100 more trees (not counting our native tree program, but that is a story for another day!). A big thanks to the Corporate Social Responsibility fund managed by Host In Ireland for helping us make this happen.

Schneider Electric, one of our generous supporters, not only provided funding but also sent Gillian McCarthy and her team to Abbeyleix this week. They rolled up their sleeves and helped us plant eight trees at Vesey Close.

This project is part of the DCs for Bees initiative, led by Host In Ireland. It's all about saving bees (by 'bees,' we mean the honeybee that we all know, 21 species of bumblebee, and 78 species of solitary bee), all of which are in decline. This is bad news for several reasons, not least because bees are essential for helping our crops grow. DCs for Bees brings together different industries to work together and make a positive impact on our environment.

The wider community is getting behind this effort too. For example, one of our star volunteers, Irene Bonham, along with her grandchildren Adam, Emer, and Ronan were out last weekend doing their part by planting a small orchard at their home.

Thanks to everyone who's helping us make a difference! These new orchards are proof that when we all work together, we can create a greener, pollinator-friendly future for Abbeyleix and beyond.

We still have a few fruit trees left. If you want to join in, get in touch! Our email is info@abbeyleixtidytowns.net. This is some more detail on our pollinator projects - https://www.abbeyleixtidytowns.net/pollinator-projects