A chara,

We're back this month with a wealth of events. Would you like to learn about agroforestry, river health, growing food, biodiversity, karst landscapes or get involved in a volunteer day? Have a look below and find something for you.

The Nature Restoration Plan is getting a lot of attention recently and capturing people's imagination with what could be possible under this plan. I'd like to introduce a piece of work from the Environmental Pillar: the Restore Nature: Native Woodlands project. It supports the

development of Ireland’s National Restoration Plan by creating a GIS map identifying high

conservation value native woodlands suitable for restoration and re-establishment under the

EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). The project focuses on locating areas of high

conservation value Annex I native woodland habitats with the greatest potential to be

restored, expanded, and reconnected through habitat re-establishment on public lands. We

have mapped 29 native woodland clusters, selecting 14 in this report to showcase their

potential. It's a really interesting and exciting report that showcases some of the easy wins that could be possible for native woodland restoration at a national level. See the full project report below.

Le meas,

Catherine

Community Groups Showcase

Join those who are making a difference for nature and climate in your county! Find people in your area who share your interests and goals for 2026. Below are just three groups out of hundreds in Ireland.

Find more on your PPN's website. Go to their 'members' section and sort by 'Environmental Pillar' to see some of the groups in your area.

Already in a group of your own? Find your PPN online (search 'your county' and 'ppn') to join for free and receive free training, information on local events and funding, and the opportunities to affect local policy creation in your County Council.

Fingal Environmental Network

Fingal

Fingal Environmental Network (FEN) Facebook group is a platform to connect all environmental groups and individuals in Fingal.

Join the conversation here (Facebook)

North Kerry Environmental Forum

Kerry

Raising awareness & Education on Environmental matters including ICZM, Climate Crisis, Biodiversity Loss, Marine & Coastal pollution, Environmental Health. Education on the Aarhus Convention & public participation.

Find them on Facebook

Or email: northkerryenvironmentalforum@gmail.com

Kilmore Quay Conservation Group

Wexford

Our mission is to ensure that the unique and authentic beauty of Kilmore Quay remains for generations to come.

Protect, preserve, enhance and share Kilmore Quay coastline and rich heritage for the benefit of our local and visiting community & biodiversity.

Read more here

AUGUST EVENTS

Free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Course for Advisors, Farmers and Foresters including anyone intending to work in agroforestry

August 6th, 10am

Armagh

Agroforestry Training and visit to 37 year old Agroforestry Site

More info and register here

Arderry - August Volunteer Day

August 8th, 11.30am

Cavan

Arderry Volunteer Day on Saturday the 8th of August at 11:30am. 

Redbog Volunteer Day Sunday the 16th of August at 10:00am. 

Both events are free to join and include a tour of the site and an opportunity to help carry out the management required for the land. 

More info and register here

Free Applied Agroforestry Skills Training Course for Advisors, Farmers and Foresters including anyone intending to work in agroforestry

August 11th, 10am

Kilkenny

Agroforestry Training for Farmers, Advisors, Foresters and anyone interested in the benefits of trees on farms.

More info and register here

Agroforestry Farm Walk Clare

August 14th, 11am

Clare

Join us for an Agroforestry Farm Walk in Co Clare on Friday, August 14th. Start time 11am. We are visiting the Earls’ Family Farm. This is an organic beef farm with native woodland, ACRES tree planting, Agroforestry FT8 and commercial forestry. Plans for a sheep enterprise with agroforestry. The family will share their reasons for planting agroforestry on the farm, environmental and financial. They will also share their experience of the application process, farm payments and how they have managed their forestry and agroforestry within the farm succession plan.

Book here

River Dipping in the Greese River, Dunlavin

August 15th, 11am and 12.30pm

Wicklow

Get up close and personal with river life with an interactive river dipping session in the Greese River in Dunlavin. This Heritage Week event, led by nature expert Patrick Hunt, will include a demonstration of river dipping followed by an interactive session where participants will discover the hidden life of the river, develop new identification skills and learn what river invertebrate life can tell us about our natural environment.  

River dipping is a sampling of river water with bucket, net and tray to identify the invertebrate life and hidden creatures that have their home in the river. Equipment is provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own hand nets, if they have them.

This is a free event but booking is essential as numbers are limited.

Booking is at this link: https://forms.gle/x8qyck4iV4xQd1Ce9 

Further details and exact location will be shared with registered attendees nearer the time. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Redbog - August Volunteer Day

August 16th, 10am

Carlow

Arderry Volunteer Day on Saturday the 8th of August at 11:30am. 

Redbog Volunteer Day Sunday the 16th of August at 10:00am. 

Both events are free to join and include a tour of the site and an opportunity to help carry out the management required for the land. 

More info and register here

Coomhola River Blue Dot Heritage

August 19th, 12pm - 1pm

Cork

Join StreamScapes at Bantry Library for a fascinating conversation about the Coomhola River, one of Ireland's precious Blue Dot waterbodies. Discover what Blue Dot status means, why these exceptional rivers are so important, and how they help protect some of our highest-quality freshwater habitats.

We'll explore the inspiring work taking place across the Coomhola catchment, from preserving local heritage, to citizen science projects that help monitor and care for our rivers. You'll also learn about practical ways to get involved and play a part in protecting these special places. 

Whether you're interested in nature, local history, or community action, everyone is welcome!

Trees on the Dairy Farm: Walk & Talk Event

August 20th, 10.30am

Wexford

Why Trees? Integrating Agroforestry into Dairy Production

As weather extremes become more common, integrating trees into the dairy system will be important for animal welfare, herd health, soil health, and farm productivity and profitability in a changing climate. Far from taking valuable land out of production, strategic tree planting creates a multi-layered ecosystem that supports livestock throughout the grazing season. The event will be hosted at an organic dairy farm in Ballywilliam, Co. Wexford, managed by Kevin O’Hanlon on behalf of Marie Pascale-Pollard. Having fully converted to organic dairying with a herd of 155 cows, the farm serves as an inspiring practical model for reducing chemical fertiliser and meal inputs while maintaining strong net margins and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin will share the farm story, use of multi-species swards, biodiversity measures, and animal welfare and plans for future tree planting.

Find out more and book your place here

Autumn in the Polytunnel

August 22nd, 10am - 4pm

Leitrim

With the one and only Klaus Laitenberger. Get your polytunnel ready for Autumn & Winter, and learn about winter production. A lovely opportunity to learn from the best, and perfect opportunity for an escape. 

Discounts available for those on income supports. Please ring 0719854338. 

Book here

Biodiversity Summer School 2026

August 29th & 30th

Galway

We are hosting our annual biodiversity summer school in partnership with Notre Dame in Kylemore on the 29th and 30th of August. Over the weekend we will have talks on river restoration, peatlands, a guided bryophyte walk and a moth trapping workshop. 

Full details and event schedule can be found here.

Biodiversity Photographer of the Year Exhibition

July 11th - August 31st

Meath

Come see the breathtaking finalists for this years Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition. Exhibition is open to the public from the afternoon of Saturday July 11th. Check our social media or website for further details.

Make a day of it! Sonairte offers a great day out for the whole family, with nature walks by the river, a two acre walled garden dating from the 1800's, cafe and playground, as well as a farm shop. It's a great time of year to visit!

Location: The, Ninch, Laytown, Co. Meath, A92 D9XH

Exhibition open from July 11th (afternoon) until August 31st

More info will be posted here: Facebook - Instagram - Website

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Rocks to Roots Karst Celebration

Regenerating the Rocks - Karst Farming Network

Sept 5th, 10am - 6pm

Roscommon

Celebrating Karst at Taughmaconnell Community Centre.

10am - 12.30pm:

Kick off the Rocks to Roots Karst Celebration with a guided walk across the species-rich karst grasslands of South Roscommon. Led by farmers and ecologists from the Karst Farming Network, the walk explores the living limestone landscape, its rare flora and fauna, and the generations of farming knowledge that have shaped it.

Book your place on the walk here or phone Kelsey on 0892032702

1pm - 2pm

Refreshments at the Community Centre

2pm - 6pm

Continue the celebrations with guest speakers, kids corner, panel discussions, music, dance and folklore!

Restore Nature: Native Woodlands Project

The Environmental Pillar has launched the - Restore Nature: Native Woodlands project - which supports Ireland’s National Restoration Plan by identifying high conservation value native woodlands with strong potential for restoration and improved connectivity using public lands. Using GIS analysis, the project maps priority woodland clusters and highlights opportunities to expand and reconnect these important habitats.

The project maps high conservation value woodlands, including Ancient and Long-Established Woodlands and Annex I habitats, and groups them into landscape-scale clusters with strong restoration potential. In total, 29 clusters have been identified nationwide, with 14 prioritised based on ecological value, scale, and opportunities for expansion on public land. These include Killarney National Park, Glendalough and Clara Vale, the Avoca Valley, and Glengarriff Woods.

Crucially, the analysis highlights the strategic role of public land in overcoming barriers to large-scale restoration in Ireland’s fragmented ownership context. Of the 274.52 km² of native woodland identified, 129.28 km² is already on public land, with a further 72.71 km² immediately adjacent. In addition, 1,942.30 km² of public land lies beside native woodland, presenting significant opportunities for expansion and reconnection.

By linking ecological data with land ownership, the project provides an actionable road map to expand our most important woodlands. It offers a robust evidence base to inform the design and implementation of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan and to support targeted action that strengthens woodland connectivity, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem resilience.

This project is part of a series of projects by the Biodiversity Hub to support the development of an ambitious and deliverable Irish Nature Restoration Plan.

Restore Nature: Native Woodlands Project available here: https://www.environmentalpillar.ie/app/uploads/2026/07/Kelly-Duarte-Campos-2026-Restore-Nature-Native-woodlands-project-Environmental-Pillar_Final.pdf

Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026 - Report

As part of research commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to inform the Forestry Communications & Engagement Strategy 2026–2030 and the next Forestry Programme, a nationally representative study was designed and implemented

to measure public attitudes towards forestry in Ireland.

Full report available here

European Seagrass Recommendations 2026

On the future of seagrass restoration in Europe

Few ecosystems carry as much discrete significance as seagrass meadows. Among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, they underpin coastal economies by supporting fisheries productivity, enabling recreation, and contributing to the cultural and environmental heritage of coastal communities across Europe. As nature-based solutions, they protect our shorelines from erosion and floods, filter water and capture and store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation and regulation. Despite this immense value, seagrass meadows have declined dramatically across Europe and, in some places, have disappeared entirely. Yet, some hopeful signs of recovery have been observed following management interventions, including restoration.

Through this document, we aim to provide the transnational guidance necessary to help turn the tide, ensuring that European seagrasses remain a vibrant, living legacy for generations to come.

Read the recommendations here

ECO-UNESCO

Join Our Team – Finance & Corporate Services Manager  

ECO-UNESCO is seeking an experienced Finance & Corporate Services Manager to lead our non-profit organisation’s financial management and oversee key corporate services. Reporting to the National Director, this internally strategic and operational role will ensure strong financial governance, compliance, risk management and organisational support, helping to underpin the delivery of ECO-UNESCO’s mission to empower young people through environmental education and action. 

This a full-time, permanent position based at our Dublin branch with options for hybrid working from home.  

To apply for this role, candidates should complete an application form and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Cover letters should be addressed to Ms. Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO. Please email both items to recruitment@ecounesco.ie with Employment Opportunities – Finance and Corporate Services Manager (Private and Confidential) in the subject line.  

The closing date for applications is on Sunday, 2 August 2026, at midnight.  

For further information on the job description and accessing the application form, you can view the full Candidate Information Pack.  

Irish Cycling Campaign

Irish Cycling Campaign is looking to fill a brand new position of Membership Development Officer. 

The purpose of the role is to contribute to developing a strong cycling culture in Ireland by significantly growing the membership of, and levels of volunteering within, the Irish Cycling Campaign – and facilitating excellent internal communication between our members. The position is being created through our long-time partnership with An Taisce. 

Deadline for receipt of applications: 23:59 on Friday 21 August 2026.

More info and application here

Global Action Plan

GAP Ireland is seeking a passionate Education Officer to deliver engaging sustainability education in County Monaghan. This is an exciting opportunity to empower communities to take practical action for people and the planet.

Deadline: 10 August

Find out more via https://globalactionplan.ie/about/join-our-team/