The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has inaugurated the SC Tree Nursery, a project that is growing the turf required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ stadiums and the trees that will fill the green spaces surrounding them.

The nursery, which is the first of its kind in the region, forms part of the SC's commitment to ensure that the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ leaves a lasting and sustainable environmental legacy for the State of Qatar.

The nursery was inaugurated by the Minister of Municipality and Environment, H.E. Mr. Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi, SC Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, the President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Chairman of the Technical Delivery Office at the SC, Eng. Hilal Al Kuwari, Nasser Al Khater, Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs at the SC, Eng. Yasir Al Jamal, Assistant Secretary General for Technical Delivery at the SC, Sports Facility Management Executive Director at the SC, Eng. Ghanim Al Kuwari, and Project Manager Eng. Yasser Al-Mulla.

The event was also attended by several representatives from the SC, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Ashghal.

Commenting on the event, SC Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi said: "The inauguration of the SC Tree Nursery is another example of how the State of Qatar is delivering on its promise to ensure that the 2022 FIFA World Cup leaves a lasting environmental legacy for the country. This project is also a great example of how the State is achieving self-sufficiency across various sectors and industries, as it will provide all the turf required for tournament stadiums and their surrounding precincts".

H.E. the Secretary General added: "In addition, the SC Tree Nursery promotes environmental sustainability by growing trees that have been recycled from different parts of the country. It is also introducing new types of trees to the ecological landscape in Qatar, thereby contributing to biological diversity.

"As such, it supports the realisation of the Environmental Development​​​ pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030, focused on preserving and protecting the environment to ensure a cleaner future for the next generation."

The Minister of Municipality and Environment, H.E. Mr. Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi, said: "This Tree Nursery will play a vital role in beautifying Qatar's World Cup stadiums by providing trees and turf for their surrounding precincts.

"As you can see, the Nursery is fully-operational and has already begun serving stadiums, such as Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City, with greenery. I am confident that this facility is a long-term investment that will continue to benefit the country long after the tournament concludes."

From his side, Project Manager Eng. Yasser Al-Mulla said: "We are delighted to be opening one of the largest tree and turf nurseries in the region, which is growing the turf required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums and the trees that will fill the green spaces surrounding them.

"The turf being grown at the nursery is unique in that it has been developed in Qatar specifically to withstand both the country's climate year-round and the rigours of a tournament as competitive as the FIFA World Cup. Another unique aspect of the project is that its irrigation system uses recycled water fed from the nearby Doha North Sewage Treatment Works Plant, helping ensure that this is a sustainable project in every aspect."

The President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi, added: "This Tree Nursery reflects the strong relationship that exists between the SC, Ashghal, and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. It not only provides Qatar's World Cup stadiums with low cost trees and turf, but also uses recycled water and will return to the local community after the tournament. The concept of sustainability is deeply rooted in this project, helping it to remind us all of the positive environmental and social legacy the World Cup will leave for future generations in Qatar."

The SC Tree Nursery spans an area of more than 880,000m2, equal to the size of Aspire Park. It is located in the Umm Slal Muhammad area north of Doha, close to the Doha North Sewage Treatment Works Plant, and contains over 16,000 trees and 679,000 shrubs.

The 60 different types of trees and shrubs, originating from Qatar, Thailand and Spain, make it one of the largest and most diverse such nurseries in the region. With turf spanning an area of 425,000m2, the Tree Nursery will also produce more than 1,200,000m2 of landscape grass per year, making it the biggest landscape turf farm in the world. This grass will be harvested two or three times per year.

After the tournament, the facility will continue to benefit the community by transforming into a public park, further contributing to the SC's efforts to ensure the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ leaves a lasting environmental and social legacy for the State of Qatar.

The event consisted of a tour of the facilities led by Eng. Yasser Al-Mulla, followed by a formal tree planting ceremony with H.E. the Minister, H.E. the President of Ashghal and H.E. the Secretary General.