January Field Report, 2022
We go a little bit quiet over the holidays, not because we are off but more because the radio (&) Internet waves are clogged. The year ended in a lovely way for us with the launch of the book we made, Under Summer Pastures Explorations and Essays from Ireland’s Temperate Rainforests. Matt, Ray and Grace (Wells) were busy for a few days a week for the last quarter of the year putting this together since its launch in December about a thousand people bought a copy and we have made so many new friends and acquaintances, even some high profile politicians in Ireland and the UK have purchased the book.
2021 was the most impactful year we had, celebrating a new headquarters and a site in Wicklow, a huge year, have a look back through these field reports for a month by month run down. Moving forward to 2022, what's on! What we will definietly do is plant over 50,000 native trees across our three sites, we'll work with Farmers for the EIP in Miltown Malbay and we know we will deliver over 100 tree-related workshops, our team have all settled in together and we are clear on the plan. It's a great recipe. As always to deliver more impact we need help, a helping hand, some euros or sharing our message, please do what you can.
VOLUNTEER RETREAT WEEKS
• Spring, March 14th - 21st
• Autumn, October 19th - 23rd
Join us to learn about and connect with nature. Help to restore biodiversity, regenerate the land, and in doing so, improve your wellbeing and engagement with the natural world.
The 8h days during the week would be split roughly 50% physical action, tree planting, nursery maintenance, seed collection, 25% class room time, 25% preparing space and food for the rest of the group.
On site we have great camping facilities, hot water, shower, and warm spaces.
Sounds like you? Fill in the form and we will get back to you. Find the form HERE.
ILLAUN FARM-FOREST EIP PROJECT
We are so excited that 30,000 native trees will be heading for Farm-Forest EIP landowners in the coming weeks. We’ll provide each EIP participating landowner with a tailored biodiversity action plan, which the landowners will implement under Hometree’s guidance. Over the 12 month project cycle, we’ll assess the environmental and biodiversity impacts of our efforts (including the diversity of vascular plants, invertebrates, bats and fungi). We look forward to some interesting data!
Meanwhile Hometree ecologist Meadhbh thinks about shelterbelt design. Shelterbelt design is around 10 metres deep, woodland edge and shrubby species on either side - hawthorn, blackthorn, spindle and hazel. Next to them is fast growing species like alder, aspen and willow. And in the centre are long lived trees like sessile oak and scots pine.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY FARMING
Early on in December our engagement officer Ray spoke with Damien O'Reilly (CountryWide RTE1) about the importance of our work, the founding of Hometree, the history behind Ireland’s transition from a forest-based culture to a pastoral one, and how over the centuries this has shaped Ireland's current rewilding challenges. Most importantly, Ray examines the economics, politics, and cultural aspects of the farmer's role in helping to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss, and how opportunities for the State to assist farmers in woodland cultivation may be right around the corner!
You can listen to the RTE1 Countrywide episode HERE.
HOMETREE AVOCA SITE
Hometree are thrilled to announce the acquisition of their first site east of the Shannon! On 12 November, after five months of fundraising and planning, we closed on the 2.3 acre “Hometree Avoca” site in County Wicklow and got the keys to the gate the following Monday. Now, the Hometree Avoca Team are set to begin preparing the site for rewilding and to serve as an education hub. Their upcoming tasks include mapping the site, completing an ecological assessment, securing insurance, and procuring the materials and services needed to install a small shelter for education sessions.
Our latest fundraising effort took place on 11 November at the Fumbally Stables in Dublin. The Team hosted over 30 people for an evening of wine and music. Musicians Grace Tooher and Elva Carroll (of Paper Moon) each performed two of their original songs on guitar. And the amazing Manchán Magan graced us with his expert knowledge on the central role of trees in Celtic history and how the Irish language reveals the spirit of our native forests. Avoca Team member Jeff McDonald gave a brief presentation on our plans for the new site, and Hometree founder Matt Smith presented on the history of Hometree. Acknowledging the people and organisations that have helped with events like the Fumbally fundraiser, Matt expressed his hope that “we can do them proud in the coming years, because, in essence, Hometree is a place of radical collaboration - an ecosystem of land-workers, fundraisers, farmers, the public and business; it is all of us together getting stuck in and having fun whilst impacting the part of the world we live in positively."
