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

http://www.nativewoodlandtrust.ie/

The Native Woodland Trust, 58 Parkwest Enterprise Centre, Dublin (2026)

21/08/2026

🐸 A familiar face at Blessington Nature Reserve, Co. Wicklow 🌿

Recently spotted at Blessington Nature Reserve, this Common Frog (Rana temporaria) is one of Ireland's most widespread native amphibians.

Although often associated with ponds and wetlands, Common Frogs spend much of their lives on land, sheltering amongst vegetation, leaf litter and damp woodland habitats. They play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding on insects, slugs and other invertebrates while also providing a food source for a range of predators.

Blessington Nature Reserve contains a variety of wetland habitats, including a willow marsh that provides ideal conditions for amphibians. The site's ponds, marshes and damp grasslands support a wealth of wildlife, making it an important refuge for species that depend on healthy wet habitats. The reserve's ecological surveys have recorded both Common Frogs and Smooth Newts using these areas.

As summer gradually gives way to autumn, many frogs will begin seeking out cool, sheltered places where they can prepare for the colder months ahead.

🐸 Have you spotted any frogs while exploring nature this summer?

20/08/2026

🌳 Trail maintenance at Ballinakelly Wood, Co. Carlow 🌳

Volunteers recently gathered at Ballinakelly Wood for a productive day maintaining one of the woodland's most distinctive features, the laurel tunnel that winds through the reserve.

The focus of the day was clearing back Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) along the woodland trails. Over time, this vigorous shrub can arch across paths and create dense growth, making routes increasingly difficult to navigate. By carefully cutting back the vegetation along the trails, volunteers helped keep these important access routes open for future conservation, monitoring and volunteer activities.

Working beneath the leafy tunnel created by decades of growth offered a unique perspective on the woodland and highlighted the importance of regular maintenance in keeping the site manageable.

The day also provided an opportunity to admire some of Ballinakelly Wood's native trees, including mature oaks that support a remarkable diversity of wildlife. These trees form part of the woodland's rich ecological character and help make Ballinakelly such a special place.

A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to help out. Practical days like these play an important role in caring for the woodland and supporting the ongoing work of the Native Woodland Trust.

🌿 Every cleared path helps us continue our work for nature.

19/08/2026

🦋 A late-summer visitor at Forelacka-Camcor Wood, Co. Offaly 🌿

Recently spotted at Forelacka-Camcor Wood, this beautiful Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) is one of Ireland's most recognisable butterflies.

The striking eye-spots on its wings help deter predators, making it one of the most distinctive species found in our countryside. During late summer, Peacock butterflies can often be seen feeding on nectar-rich wildflowers such as thistles, building up energy reserves before seeking sheltered places to spend the winter.

The mix of woodland edges, flower-rich grassland and riverside habitats around Camcor Wood provides valuable resources for butterflies and other pollinators throughout the season. Native plants such as thistles play an important role in supporting these insects, offering a vital source of nectar when many other flowers have finished blooming.

Camcor is an old riparian woodland along the banks of the Camcor River, where the variety of habitats helps support a rich diversity of wildlife, from butterflies and pollinators to woodland plants and freshwater species.

🦋 Have you spotted a Peacock butterfly on your walks this summer?

18/08/2026

🌰🌳 Ancient woodland hazel nut collection event!

Join our Offaly Branch - Native Woodland Trust at Forelacka-Camcor Wood Nature Reserve, near Kinnitty, Co. Offaly, for a day of native seed collection and sowing.

Each autumn, hazel trees across the reserve produce thousands of nuts. Some will feed wildlife, while others can become the next generation of native trees. By collecting and sowing locally sourced hazelnuts, volunteers help us grow trees from the woodland's own genetic stock for future restoration and expansion projects.

Forelacka-Camcor is one of our most special reserves, home to the only alluvial native woodland within the Slieve Bloom Mountains SAC. It even has it's own expansion fields we've acquired next door. Every hazelnut collected helps ensure the woodland continues to thrive and now expand for future generations to enjoy

No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome.

🌰 Collect hazelnuts
🌱 Learn how to sow them
🌳 Help grow the next generation of native trees

See the poster for full details.

To RSVP: 📩 Send us a DM 📧 [email protected]
Offaly Heritage Offaly Volunteer Centre Offaly county council Offaly Public Participation Network
We hope to see you there!

Free workshop - Booking Required - Email: jeremy.casey@nativewoodlandtrust.ie. A Wild Child Heritage Week family art & n...

17/08/2026

Free workshop - Booking Required - Email: [email protected]. A Wild Child Heritage Week family art & nature workshop.

Join the Native Woodland Trust, artists Lily Bernard and Judith Ryan for a free family-friendly morning of creativity and nature at Rinnagan Wood Nature Reserve & Native Tree Nursery, Co. Roscommon.

As part of National Heritage Week 2026, this relaxed outdoor workshop combines art, biodiversity and heritage. Begin with a guided woodland walk led by Jeremy Casey, exploring native trees, woodland wildlife and the stories behind Ireland’s native woodlands. Along the way, you’ll gather inspiration from the colours, textures and patterns of the natural world.

Back at the workshop area, you’ll learn how to create simple drawing tools, charcoal and natural pigments from woodland materials before trying your hand at observational drawing inspired by the landscape around you. No experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to spend time outdoors.

Free – booking required.

What to bring:

Weather-appropriate clothing and waterproof jacket
Sturdy footwear
Water and a light snack
Any required medication
A reusable cup for tea or coffee

Please note: This is an outdoor woodland event with uneven ground and is not suitable for buggies. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There are no toilet facilities on site.

Supported by the National Heritage Week Grant Scheme and Roscommon County Council.

Email: [email protected]

Come along for a morning of woodland discovery, creativity and connection. The Native Woodland Trust Heritage Week

17/08/2026

🌳🔴 The rowan harvest is almost here at Coill na Luise

Named after the veteran rowan trees that once stood alone on the site, Coill na Luise has become a wonderful example of native woodland establishment in action.

Each year, volunteers collect berries from these veteran rowans, growing their offspring at our nearby Trooperstown Tree Nursery. Hundreds of young rowan trees have already been planted as part of the project, and we're looking forward to continuing that work again this autumn.

A recent visit by our Wicklow volunteers showed that this year's crop is looking particularly promising, with the veteran trees laden with bright red berries.

Of course, a visit to Coill na Luise is always about more than seed collection.

As we monitor the development of this young woodland, we also record the wildlife making its home here. Among this week's highlights were:

🛡️ A colourful Gorse Shieldbug
🐛 Cinnabar moth caterpillars feeding on flowering ragwort
🦋 Small Tortoiseshell, white and blue butterflies
🌸 Spectacular displays of both ling and bell heather
⛰️ Stunning views across the Wicklow Mountains from Paddock Hill

It's remarkable to think that where veteran rowans once stood almost alone, a young native woodland is now developing around them, carrying their legacy into the future.

We'll be returning over the coming weeks to collect rowan berries and grow the next generation of these special trees.

🌳 Want to join us?

📩 Send us a DM or
📧 email [email protected] to join our volunteer mailing list.
Wicklow Volunteer Centre County Wicklow Public Participation Network

16/08/2026

🌰🌳 Preparing for the harvest to come

On Sunday 9th August, volunteers from our Roscommon Branch - Native Woodland Trust gathered at Rinnagan Nature Reserve and Tree Nursery for a productive day of woodland monitoring and nursery preparation.

With seed collection season fast approaching, now is the time to ensure both the woodland and nursery are ready for the busy months ahead.

The morning was spent exploring Rinnagan Wood and nearby St John's Wood, one of Ireland's most important ancient woodlands, to get a pulse on this year's developing seed crop. We checked the progress of hazelnuts, hawthorn berries, spindle pods and crab apples, helping us plan the coming months of seed collection activity.

These observations will help inform our autumn seed collection programme, ensuring we gather seed at the optimal time for propagation.

Back at the nursery, volunteers got stuck into a wide range of essential tasks, including:

🌱 Weeding growing beds
💧 Watering young trees
🐭 Expanding mouse-proof hazel growing capacity
🌿 Mowing and general nursery maintenance
🔨 Installing two new potting benches

Every task completed helps prepare the nursery for the arrival of this year's seed harvest and the next generation of native trees.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Roscommon County Council and in particular Gerard Hannon, Biodiversity Officer, whose support is helping us continue to expand nursery capacity and increase the production of locally sourced native trees.

The seedlings grown here will help restore woodlands, establish new hedgerows and, perhaps most importantly, carry forward the genetic legacy of St John's Wood, helping spread one of Ireland's oldest and most significant ancient woodlands into the future.

🌳 Every woodland starts with a seed.

Roscommon Public Participation Network Roscommon Volunteer Centre

15/08/2026

🌱🌳 Caring for the next generation of native woodlands at Trooperstown Nursery, Co. Wicklow 🌳🌱

Recent volunteer work at Trooperstown Nursery focused on helping young native trees thrive through one of the driest periods of the year.

With dry conditions continuing, volunteers spent much of the day carefully watering saplings and seedlings throughout the nursery. At the same time, competing vegetation was cleared from around young trees, helping reduce competition for valuable water, light and nutrients.

Inside the polytunnel, work continued on making the growing beds rodent-proof, helping to protect seeds and young seedlings during their most vulnerable stages of development. Volunteers also reassembled air pots for future use, ensuring the nursery is ready for the next generation of locally sourced native trees.

While carrying out this important work, volunteers were rewarded with sightings of a Small Copper and a Common Blue butterfly, both making use of the diverse habitats around the nursery. These colourful species are a reminder that nurseries and restoration sites can support biodiversity as well as future woodland creation.

Trooperstown specialises in growing trees of local Wicklow provenance, helping to preserve the genetic integrity of native woodland populations while supporting restoration projects across the county.

Every seedling watered, every growing bed protected and every volunteer hour helps secure the future of Ireland's native woodlands.

14/08/2026

🌰🌳 Hazel season is almost here at Ardan Wood!

Over the coming weeks, volunteers will once again be taking to the woodland floor in search of one of nature's greatest gifts: hazelnuts.

Each autumn, the ancient hazel coppices of Ardan Wood Nature Reserve produce thousands of nuts. Some will feed dormice, mice, birds and other wildlife. Others will become the next generation of trees.

At the Native Woodland Trust, we collect a portion of this seed and sow it in our nursery, helping grow locally sourced hazel trees for use in woodland restoration, hedgerow creation and habitat enhancement projects.

The hazel trees of Ardan have been shaping this landscape for generations. By collecting and growing their offspring, we're helping ensure that story continues long into the future.

That's why we're inviting volunteers to join us for two Native Seed Collection & Sowing Workshops this August.

Whether you're curious about seed collection, interested in growing native trees, or simply looking for an excuse to spend a day in the woodland, we'd love to have you along.

🌰 Collect hazelnuts
🌱 Learn how to sow them
🌳 Help grow the next generation of local trees

No experience necessary and all ages are welcome.

See the poster for full details.

📩 RSVP by DM
📧 [email protected]

Westmeath Heritage Westmeath County Council Westmeath Volunteer Centre Westmeath PPN - Public Participation Network The Environment and Climate Action Department of Westmeath Council
Together, we're growing tomorrow's woodland from today's seed.

🌳💚

14/08/2026

🍄 The woodland recyclers at work

Nestled amongst mosses and ferns at Forelacka-Camcor Wood Nature Reserve, this bracket fungus is carrying out one of the most important jobs in the woodland.

Found growing on a fallen ash tree, it forms part of a remarkable community of fungi responsible for breaking down dead wood and returning nutrients to the ecosystem. Without fungi, woodlands would quickly become overwhelmed with fallen timber and many of the nutrients locked away in trees would never find their way back into the soil.

At Forelacka-Camcor, the only alluvial native woodland within the Slieve Bloom Mountains SAC, this process is particularly important. The woodland is shaped by the River Camcor, creating a dynamic environment where trees grow, age, die and become habitat in their own right.

What may look like decay is actually renewal

One of the hallmarks of a healthy woodland is the presence of both standing and fallen deadwood. Standing dead trees provide nesting and feeding opportunities for birds, bats and many specialised insects. Fallen trunks, meanwhile, become home to fungi, mosses, beetles, millipedes and countless other organisms that slowly recycle the timber back into the woodland ecosystem.

Importantly, these different forms of deadwood decay at different rates and support entirely different communities of wildlife. Together they create a rich variety of habitat that cannot be replaced by living trees alone.

The increasing sunlight now reaching some areas of the woodland floor, partly as a result of Ash Dieback, is also creating new opportunities for fungi, ferns and woodland plants. Nature continues to adapt, responding to change while maintaining the ancient cycle of growth, death and renewal.

Sometimes the most important work in a woodland happens quietly, within a fallen log, beneath a patch of moss, or inside the fruiting body of a fungus like this one.

The Native Woodland Trust

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