Dog lovers have the chance to plant a native Irish tree especially for their dog in a 30 acres of wood in Co Down.
Beechgrove Woods in Banbridge is a dog heaven with woodland trails and endless areas to explore, and with planting of a new native wood almost completed, owner Nikkie Adams is inviting guests to come and plant their own tree in honour of the dogs they have love and those they've lost.
She said: "We are celebrating our 15th anniversary and we wanted to invite our regular guests and new visitors to make it really special.
Read more: Dogs grieve too and it can be hard to handle
"Most of the native trees will have been planted but on March 25 we are inviting people to come along and plant their own. Each can be sponsored and tagged and we will keep and update on its progress down the years.
"This newly planted wood won't be open until the trees are less vulnerable to being knocked down or uprooted but we have the activity trails, the private hire areas and lots more, making for so much more than your average walk.
"It's such an exciting time having the woods planted at the park and we cannot wait to welcome everyone to our little slice of paradise.
"For now though dog lovers and our Beechgrove Community can help with creating the UK’s first forest of its kind with our community planting morning.
"Or if gardening isn’t really your thing but you’d still like to leave your mark in the forest, you can join our tree sponsorship programme by buying a tree from the shop, which is then named after your loved one and updates of your tree are sent out by email as your tree grows.
"This is an entire forest being planted just for our dogs and every tree can be named after and dedicated to a loved one and that can be your dog, a family member, a lost loved one, it's totally up to you but the tag will stays with that tree for life and each sponsorship costs £10."
The planting morning will take place on March 25 giving the public a chance to see the magic being created at the park.
Nikki said: "The woods won’t be open to the public immediately as the trees will have some growing to do first, so this is just a chance to see the forest and get a taste of what’s to come.
"We’ll be providing hot drinks and snacks for all our planters on the morning and working with a team of brilliant foresters who will keep us all right.
"Spaces will be limited for the planting morning so booking is necessary and all proceeds going to the wonderful Animal Connexions and Tyrone Husky Rescue to help keep the animals in their care safe and rescue more who need help to find their forever homes.
We've worked closely with both Animal Connexions, and Tyrone Husky Rescue over the years and cannot advocate enough just how important and vital the work they both do is.
"The money raised from the sponsorships will be split evenly between the two helping to fund medical bills, food, foster, shelter and rescue of so many animals in need.
"Beechgrove Woods was designed with Carolyn from IndiWoods Ltd whose expertise has made this project possible. With her help we will have fully native woodland, using non-invasive native species to help strengthen and diversify our local eco-system, so your sponsorship is directly affecting good climate practices here in Northern Ireland, being a friend to our local wildlife and pollinators.
And while the forest is dedicated to dogs and their people, Nikki has asked that anyone joining her on March 25 for planting session considered their dog's needs.
She said: "If you ate hoping to bring your dog along please do consider if this is the right choice for them - holding a dog on-lead and planting a tree at the same time is quite the challenge, and there will be other dogs and people attending, so if your dog is excitable, selective with their friends or very nervous this maybe isn’t a day out for them.
If you would like to sponsor a tree in honour of your dog, click here and follow the link.
