Wicklow Branch - Native Woodland Trust

01/08/2026

People power!

🌱🌳 A busy day at Trooperstown Tree Nursery! 🌳🌱

Our Wicklow volunteers spent last Sunday caring for the next generation of native trees at Trooperstown Tree Nursery.

With the recent dry spell continuing, one of the day's most important tasks was watering our saplings. To conserve as much water as possible, each young tree was watered individually, ensuring every drop went exactly where it was needed. Volunteers also cleared competing vegetation around smaller saplings, giving them the best chance to establish and thrive.

Work continued inside the polytunnel, where volunteers completed mouse-proofing on two growing beds. This simple but important job will help protect newly sown seeds and young seedlings from hungry visitors in the months ahead.

The team also potted on a number of young birch and spindle seedlings that had outgrown their containers. These locally sourced trees will continue growing in the nursery before being planted back into the reserves where their seeds were originally collected.

Every tree in the nursery represents an investment in the future of Ireland's native woodlands, and every volunteer contribution helps make that future possible.

Interested in joining our Wicklow volunteer group? Send us a DM or email [email protected] 🌿💚

01/08/2026

🌸 A first for Bevans' Wood Nature Reserve

During a recent visit to Bevans' Wood Nature Reserve near Valleymount, Co. Wicklow, volunteers made an exciting discovery: Ragged-Robin (Silene flos-cuculi), recorded on the site for the first time.

With its striking pink flowers and deeply divided petals, it's easy to see how Ragged-Robin earned its name. The delicate petals appear almost torn or "ragged", giving the flower its distinctive appearance.

Once a familiar sight in damp meadows, marshes and wet grasslands across Ireland, Ragged-Robin has declined in many areas due to drainage, agricultural intensification and the loss of species-rich wet habitats.

Its appearance at Bevans' Wood is particularly encouraging. While the reserve is best known as a native woodland rehabilitation project, healthy woodlands are about much more than trees alone. The most biodiverse woodlands are often surrounded by a rich mosaic of habitats, including wet meadows, woodland edges, hedgerows and scrub.

The newly discovered plants were found at the woodland edge, highlighting the importance of these transitional habitats where woodland meets open ground.
The record has now been submitted to the Biodiversity Ireland helping improve our understanding of species distribution in Ireland and contributing to conservation efforts nationwide.

If you spot something interesting while out walking, why not record it? Every observation helps build a better picture of Ireland's biodiversity.
📱 https://biodiversityireland.ie

15/07/2026

Join us for Cherry Collection in the Glen of the Downs this weekend! All ages welcome no experience needed - just love for conserving our woodland heritage

🍒 Join us for a Wild Cherry Seed Collection Day in the Glen of the Downs! 🌳

Native woodlands begin with locally sourced seeds, and this is your chance to help grow the forests of the future.

On Sunday, 19th July, we'll be collecting wild cherry seeds in the beautiful Glen of the Downs, Co. Wicklow, before holding a seed preparation workshop where you'll learn how seeds are processed for propagation and future planting projects.

Wild cherry is an important native tree species, providing blossom for pollinators in spring, food for birds and mammals, and valuable habitat throughout its life. By collecting local seed, we're helping to preserve the genetic diversity of Ireland's native woodlands and ensuring future trees are well adapted to local conditions.

This event is suitable for all ages and no experience is required. Whether you're interested in woodland conservation, native trees, or simply enjoying a morning in nature, we'd love to have you join us.

📍 Meeting Point: Glen of the Downs Nature Trail Car Park (off the N11)
🗓️ Sunday, 19th July
🕤 9:30am – 12:00pm

Please bring: • Gardening gloves
• Glasses if needed for close work
• Water, packed lunch and a keep cup

To register, send us a DM or email [email protected]

Help us collect the seeds that will become the native woodlands of tomorrow. 🌿💚

14/07/2026

🌳 Join us for a Conservation Action Day at Coill na Luise, Laragh, Co. Wicklow! 🌳

Would you like to make a hands-on contribution to native woodland restoration while spending a day outdoors in beautiful surroundings?

On Saturday, 18th July, volunteers will be helping with essential conservation work at Coill na Luise. Activities will include caring for young tree saplings and carrying out deer fence maintenance—both vital tasks that help ensure the long-term success of this growing native woodland.

No experience is necessary, and everyone aged 12 and over is welcome to take part. Whether you're a regular volunteer or joining us for the first time, this is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and help create lasting habitat for wildlife.

📍 Meet at: Trooperstown Car Park, Laragh East
🕙 Start: 10am (flexible finish)
🥾 Bring: Hiking boots, layered clothing, hat, sunblock, working gloves, water, a packed lunch and a keep cup.

To register, send us a DM or email [email protected]

We hope to see you there! 🌿💚

30/06/2026

A woodland on the wing!

23/06/2026

Calling all Woodland Warriors of Wicklow!

We could use your help at our upcoming conservation action day at Bevans' Wood near Valleymount this weekend 💪🌳

Wicklow Volunteer Centre County Wicklow Public Participation Network

We’re heading back to Bevan’s Wood (Co Wicklow) next Saturday (27 June) for what feels like a real turning point in this woodland’s story 🌳

Since storm Eowyn, a huge amount of work has gone into restoring and securing the old deer fence — and now the end is finally in sight.

What comes next is what it’s all about:
🌱 Natural regeneration continuing unbrowsed
🌳 Young trees growing strong enough to stand on their own
🌿 The gradual removal of tree guards as the woodland establishes
We’re calling on our Wicklow volunteers to help bring this work over the line 💪

📍 Meeting Details
🕙 10:00am
📍 Poulaphouca Lake (Valleymount)
👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/uJpoPmoY2cWmXJmQA
We’ll walk into the site from there.
We'll be on site until 4pm, so feel free to drop in anytime if you can’t make the full day 🙌
DM to RSVP or email [email protected]

🎒 What to bring

Working gloves
Welly boots preferred
Waterproof layers
Water + snacks
Cup/mug for tea ☕

County Wicklow Public Participation Network Wicklow Volunteer Centre

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

We’re heading back to Bevan’s Wood (Co Wicklow) next Saturday (27 June) for what feels like a real turning point in this woodland’s story 🌳

Since storm Eowyn, a huge amount of work has gone into restoring and securing the old deer fence — and now the end is finally in sight.

What comes next is what it’s all about:
🌱 Natural regeneration continuing unbrowsed
🌳 Young trees growing strong enough to stand on their own
🌿 The gradual removal of tree guards as the woodland establishes
We’re calling on our Wicklow volunteers to help bring this work over the line 💪

📍 Meeting Details
🕙 10:00am
📍 Poulaphouca Lake (Valleymount)
👉 https://maps.app.goo.gl/uJpoPmoY2cWmXJmQA
We’ll walk into the site from there.
We'll be on site until 4pm, so feel free to drop in anytime if you can’t make the full day 🙌
DM to RSVP or email [email protected]

🎒 What to bring

Working gloves
Welly boots preferred
Waterproof layers
Water + snacks
Cup/mug for tea ☕

County Wicklow Public Participation Network Wicklow Volunteer Centre

09/06/2026

Wicklow weather sure is tree growing weather!