September 2023 Blessington Tidy Towns recently organized an enlightening Willow workshop, led by the knowledgeable Aoife from Wicklow Willow.
Over the course of two inspiring days, workshop attendees delved into the world of willow, gaining valuable insights into its significance for pollinators. The workshop offered hands-on instruction, empowering participants to craft intricate willow sculptures that showcased their creativity and passion for nature.
The outcome was truly remarkable, as the attendees transformed bundles of willow into stunning artwork pieces, including intricate representations of bees, butterflies, and dragonflies. These exquisite creations serve a dual purpose as they will play an integral role in an upcoming pollinator project scheduled for next spring. These sculptures not only stand as a testament to the participants’ artistic talents but also symbolize their commitment to raising awareness about the critical role pollinators play in our fragile ecosystem.
As Blessington Tidy Towns continues its dedication to environmental preservation and community engagement, this Willow workshop stands as a shining example of their efforts to educate, inspire, and protect the natural world that surrounds us.
BTT would like to thank Blessington GAA (Michelle) for the loan of the tables, and the Reservoir Cogs whose fundraising efforts for BTT from their annual Sprotif allows us to run prgrams like this in the community.
Willow is often overlooked as an ornamental in favor of showier trees, but its value to hungry pollinators emerging in the early spring, make it practically a “must-have” for the pollinator garden.
For more info see https://www.facebook.com/blessingtontidytowns/posts/pfbid034MQPLFzPsqs97mJq4XhjJM7Jpo5L4UhTGB3pikCjUtKXwMub5Ygb5gEvqPBkaQ5hl
