The Native Woodland Trust

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The Native Woodland Trust An Irish charity dedicated to preserving Ireland’s ancient woodlands and creating new native woodland
Registered Charity RCN20045265

Autumn in Ireland's wild woodsOne of the things we love most about native woodlands is that there is always something to...
11/10/2026

Autumn in Ireland's wild woods

One of the things we love most about native woodlands is that there is always something to discover no matter the time of year

Spring brings carpets of wildflowers. Summer brings birdsong and butterflies. And now, as the days shorten, temperatures drop and the rains return, the spotlight shifts to one of the woodland's most fascinating kingdoms.

Fungi.

Appearing in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colours, fungi seem to emerge almost overnight from the woodland floor. Yet what we see above ground is often only a tiny fraction of the organism itself. Beneath our feet lies a vast hidden network of fungal threads, connecting soil, roots and decaying wood in ways we're only beginning to understand.

Fungi play a vital role in native woodland ecology. They recycle dead material, return nutrients to the soil and form important partnerships with trees, helping healthy woodlands thrive.

We recently came across this beautiful specimen at Ardan Wood Nature Reserve in Co. Westmeath.

As always, we encourage people to admire fungi from a distance and avoid picking or disturbing them unless participating in a survey or foray with appropriate expertise. Many species can be difficult to identify, could be poisonous, but above all else they busily working away as part of a healthy, functioning, interconnected ecosystem

🌳🍄🍂

Happy World Mental Health Day 🦋As winter slowly approaches and the days begin to shorten, it's more important than ever ...
10/10/2026

Happy World Mental Health Day 🦋

As winter slowly approaches and the days begin to shorten, it's more important than ever to make time for nature.

Pictured here is a Speckled Wood butterfly, one of Ireland's last butterflies to remain active deep into autumn. Here, it pauses on the canopy of a wilf baby oak tree at Girley Wood Nature Reserve, soaking up the warmth of the morning sun before continuing its gentle patrol of woodland rides and edges.

Native woodlands offer us so much more than wildlife habitat. They provide places to slow down, breathe deeply and step away from the noise of daily life. Research continues to show what many of us already know instinctively: time spent amongst trees can help reduce stress, improve mood, encourage physical activity and strengthen our connection to the natural world.

Whether it's a short walk through a local woodland, listening to birdsong on a quiet trail, or simply pausing to watch a butterfly bask in the autumn sunshine, nature has a remarkable ability to help restore perspective.

So today, on World Mental Health Day, we encourage everyone to get outdoors, visit a local woodland or explore one of our nature reserves.

And perhaps, like this Speckled Wood, take a moment to face the sun whenever it appears.

Carry a little of that sun-basked energy with you into the cooler months ahead. 🌞🍂🌳

💚 Take care of nature.
💚 Let nature take care of you.

Early Autumn belongs to Spindle 🧡🌸For much of the year, Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) is easy to overlook.Tucked away alo...
09/10/2026

Early Autumn belongs to Spindle 🧡🌸

For much of the year, Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) is easy to overlook.

Tucked away along woodland edges, hedgerows and scrubby corners, it quietly goes about its business, blending into the background while more showy species steal the limelight.

But every autumn, spindle has its moment.

Right now, the shrubs at Farnaght Wood Nature Reserve are laden with their unmistakable bright pink seed capsules, among the most colourful sights to be found in our native woodlands. As the weeks progress, these capsules will split open to reveal vivid orange seeds, creating one of nature's most striking colour combinations. 🍂🌸🧡

These colourful fruits are far more than just decorative. They are spindle's investment in the future.

Birds feed on the seeds and, in doing so, help carry them across the landscape. Some seeds are dropped or pass unharmed through the digestive system before being deposited elsewhere, allowing new spindle shrubs to establish in hedgerows, woodland edges and scrub habitats.

Although often overshadowed by hawthorn, blackthorn and hazel, spindle plays an important role within the woodland understorey and along woodland margins. Its flowers provide nectar for insects in spring, while its fruits provide food for wildlife in autumn.

So, if you're exploring a woodland or country lane over the coming weeks, keep an eye out for flashes of hot pink amongst the hedgerows.

Early Autumn belongs to spindle. 🌸🧡🌳(Before Fungi capture our attention!)




















08/10/2026

🌳🤝 Local Business supporting local biodiversity

Recently, we were delighted to welcome the team from to Blessington Wood Nature Reserve in West Wicklow.

Located less than ten minutes from both Blessington Wood and Bevans' Wood, BCU has become an invaluable local partner in our efforts to protect and expand native woodlands in the area.

Over the past few years, this partnership has helped deliver an incredible range of conservation actions. From supporting the collection, propagation and planting of over 8000 native trees, to tackling invasive species such as Snowberry and Buddleia, installing bat roosting boxes and an owl nest box, repairing deer fencing, and funding educational interpretation signage that help visitors understand the conservation work taking place across both reserves.

These achievements demonstrate why partnerships with local businesses matter so much.

They help us protect and enhance biodiversity. They help create opportunities for local people to volunteer, learn and connect with nature. Most importantly, they allow businesses to make a genuine, lasting contribution to the landscapes and communities around them.

Corporate support doesn't just fund projects. It helps grow future woodlands, strengthen local stewardship and create opportunities for people of all ages to become involved in nature restoration.

A huge thank you to everyone at Blessington & District Credit Union for their continued support, enthusiasm and commitment to local biodiversity.

🌳 Irish businesses, large and small, can make a real difference for nature.

Interested in supporting native woodland conservation?

Whether through membership, sponsorship or one of our corporate experiences, from tree planting and seed collection to guided nature walks and conservation volunteering, we'd love to hear from you.

It's team building. It's stress relieving. It's impactful.

And it makes a real difference for nature.

📧 [email protected]
Business in the Community

Learning, Listening and Looking Ahead at the IEN Annual Gathering 2026 Over the weekend, the Native Woodland Trust atten...
06/10/2026

Learning, Listening and Looking Ahead at the IEN Annual Gathering 2026

Over the weekend, the Native Woodland Trust attended the IEN Annual Gathering 2026 in Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Co. Tipperary, hosted by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN). The gathering brought together environmental organisations from across Ireland to share ideas, strengthen connections and reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing nature and communities in the years ahead.

It's an important date in our calendar every year.

Conservation work can often keep us focused on the day-to-day. Events like the IEN Gathering provide an opportunity to step back, take stock and listen to the many voices working across Ireland's environmental movement.

The Native Woodland Trust is deeply grateful for the support of the Irish Environmental Network, whose funding has played an important role in helping us protect and expand native woodlands, engage communities and create opportunities for people to connect with nature.

We're looking forward to another year of collaboration with the IEN and fellow environmental NGOs, learning from one another and working together for nature.

🌳 Together we are stronger.

Brewmasters and Woodland Warriors at Bevans' Wood 🌳🍻On Monday, we were delighted to welcome the team from Rascals Brewin...
05/10/2026

Brewmasters and Woodland Warriors at Bevans' Wood 🌳🍻

On Monday, we were delighted to welcome the team from Rascals Brewing Co. Bevans' Wood Nature Reserve in County Wicklow for a day spent reconnecting with the wild woods.

The morning began with a guided walk through the reserve, exploring the woodland's wildlife, folklore and history. Our steps were slow, calm and intentional as we took time to notice the details often missed in everyday life. From fruiting fungi to the creatures on the wing. Along the way, we discussed woodland management, rewilding and the importance of attuning ourselves to nature's clock rather than our own.

After a picnic lunch beneath Dr Donal Bevan's Oak, the group heard the story of how this remarkable woodland came into the care of the Native Woodland Trust and the conservation journey that has unfolded here over the last five years.

Then it was time to get our hands dirty.

The afternoon was spent planting 75 native trees, continuing the ongoing woodland rehabilitation project at Bevans' Wood. Every tree planted had first been lovingly grown by volunteers in our nurseries, from seed collected from some Wicklow's finest ancient woodland fragments

Species planted included:

🌳 Oak
🌸 Wild Cherry
🌰 Hazel
🍃 Birch
🌿 Alder

Each tree has a story. Each branch carries generations of native woodland genetics. Together, they represent another step towards a healthier, more resilient woodland for future generations.

A huge thank you to everyone from Rascals Brewing Company for their enthusiasm, curiosity and hard work throughout the day.

Here's to good company, great conversations and growing the woodlands of tomorrow. 🍻🌳

We offer all types of corporate experiences for team large and small, all of which make a BIG difference

📧 [email protected]

Improving Access at Gracedieu Wood nature reserve🌳On Saturday, members of our Waterford Branch - Native Woodland Trust t...
04/10/2026

Improving Access at Gracedieu Wood nature reserve🌳

On Saturday, members of our Waterford Branch - Native Woodland Trust teamed up once again with the wonderful Waterford Lions Club for a project that might seem small at first glance, but will make a big difference to the future management of Gracedieu Wood Nature Reserve.

With the expert help of volunteers from Renew Enterprises , a new pedestrian access gate was successfully installed at the woodland's "service entrance" at the young woodland's edge

The days of climbing fences to access the reserve to conduct maintenance are now officially over!

While a gate may not sound as exciting as planting trees or collecting seed, good access is essential for conservation. The new entrance will make it easier for volunteers to carry out woodland management, undertake biodiversity surveys, check on the reserve after storms and continue the ongoing work of caring for the woodland.

A special thank you goes to the team from Renew, a social enterprise doing fantastic work in the local community. We are particularly grateful to the project lead, a carpenter by trade and Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board supervisor, who generously volunteers with Renew on Saturdays.

This project is another wonderful example of what can be achieved when community organisations come together with a shared goal.

A huge thank you to our friends in Waterford Lions Club, whose support for the Native Woodland Trust over the years has been greatly appreciated, and to everyone who gave up their Saturday morning to help improve access to Gracedieu Wood..

🌳 Interested in getting involved with our Waterford Branch?

📧 [email protected]
Waterford PPN Waterford Volunteer Centre Waterford City and County Council

🌱🍎 From Seed to Sapling at Trooperstown Nursery, Co. Wicklow 🍎🌱Volunteers were hard at work recently at Trooperstown Nur...
02/10/2026

🌱🍎 From Seed to Sapling at Trooperstown Nursery, Co. Wicklow 🍎🌱

Volunteers were hard at work recently at Trooperstown Nursery, helping to complete the processing of this year's Crab Apple seed collections while preparing the nursery for the busy autumn season ahead.

A major focus of the day was finishing the work from a recent Roscommon seed collection, processing Crab Apple seed gathered from St. John's Wood and Ardan Wood. In total, well over 1,000 seeds were extracted, cleaned and prepared for propagation. Volunteers carefully macerated the fruit, removed the seeds, cleaned away any remaining flesh to reduce the risk of mould and rot, and then sowed the seed into stratification trays where it will spend the winter before hopefully germinating next spring.

This work is a practical example of local provenance conservation. By collecting seed directly from native trees growing in St. John's Wood and Ardan Wood, we can help preserve the unique genetic heritage of these woodlands. Once grown on in our nurseries, these young trees will ultimately make their way back into Native Woodland Trust reserves within their counties of origin, helping strengthen existing habitats while maintaining locally adapted woodland genetics.

Alongside the seed work, volunteers weeded nursery beds and potted trees, helping reduce competition for water and nutrients. Work also continued on rodent-proofing indoor growing beds and carrying out a range of other tasks to ensure the nursery is ready for the busy seed collection season now underway.

From processing seed to maintaining young trees, every task completed helps support the next generation of native woodlands.

🌿 Every woodland starts with a seed.

Companies we need your help! We now have a dedicated section on our website as to how you can help support our work. Chr...
02/10/2026

Companies we need your help! We now have a dedicated section on our website as to how you can help support our work. Christmas is just around the corner instead of cards or gifts why not help us plant native woodlands in Ireland. Visit the new section on our website https://www.nativewoodlandtrust.ie/corporate for more information.

🌿 A productive day at Blessington Nature Reserve, Co. Wicklow 🌿Volunteers recently gathered at Blessington Nature Reserv...
01/10/2026

🌿 A productive day at Blessington Nature Reserve, Co. Wicklow 🌿

Volunteers recently gathered at Blessington Nature Reserve to continue work on Buddleia clearance and check on how the site is developing as autumn approaches.

A major focus of the day was cutting back remaining Buddleia plants, and it was encouraging to see evidence that previous clearance work is beginning to have an impact, with several earlier-treated plants showing little sign of recovery.

While moving through the reserve looking for further Buddleia, volunteers also took the opportunity to see what else was happening across the site. Although a hazelnut collection was attempted, it appears local wildlife had beaten us to the crop in the north-eastern section of the reserve!

There was plenty of encouraging news elsewhere, however. The area is thriving, with good signs of natural regeneration throughout the site, including several developing elm trees. Volunteers also came across some impressive fungal growth, highlighting the rich biodiversity supported by the reserve's woodland and wetland habitats.

Days like these are a reminder that conservation isn't just about the work we carry out ourselves. Sometimes the most rewarding part is seeing nature responding, with young trees establishing naturally and woodland ecosystems continuing to develop year after year.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped.

🌳 Every visit reveals something new.

Address

58 Parkwest Enterprise Centre
Dublin
D12R520

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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