Our work is to establish and conserve permanent native woodland in Ireland, encouraging land regeneration and biodiversity through afforestation, restoration and education.
Ireland was once a land of forests. At one time, up to 80% of the country was covered in native wildwood. Irish culture still contains echoes of this, in Ireland’s ‘tree alphabet’ - the ancient Ogham script - in the Gaelic names for common trees, folklore, and song.
Yet today, Ireland is the most deforested country in Europe. Just over 1% of that original forest cover remains. Hometree is changing this. Our vision is the restoration of Ireland’s ancient wildwood. Through conservation, afforestation and education, we aim to create a landscape in which people and forests flourish, together.
Hometree began in a small community garden project in winter 2014, where we saw how important it was for people to connect with nature. Five years on, hometree has planted over 30,000 pioneer trees like scots pine, willow and alder, while hundreds of people have contributed time and resources to the vision of incorporating more trees into the Irish landscape, bringing all the benefits that woodlands create.
Our current fundraising comes from partnerships, people and businesses who share and wish to support Hometree’s goals and those who are curious to educate themselves and connect to their sense of stewardship for the natural world. We’ve worked with over 50 businesses, from small startups to multinational organisations like Medtronic, the global leader in medical technology.
What began as a tree-planting charity is growing into a project which endeavours to deeply connect people with nature, and facilitates a wide variety of projects that are fundamental to addressing both Ireland’s declining biodiversity and the unfolding climate challenge.
Three Branches of Hometree
Education
Come and learn with us. As the ecological crisis deepens interest in nature has soared. If we don't understand nature, how can we be expected to protect it? Hometree can facilitate a connection with nature amongst all citizens. Classes, field trips and hands-on habitat rehabilitation experience can be offered to individuals, families, educational communities, holidaymakers and businesses/corporations a way to educate themselves while making a real difference.
Only when we recognise that our health, well-being and future are inextricably entwined with those of the natural world that it’s true beauty and worth becomes apparent. Join us, educate yourself and make a real difference. You can learn more here.
Afforestation
Establishment of a permanent forest and agroforestry. Native woodlands are a critical part of Ireland’s natural heritage and culture and are uniquely important for biodiversity. They provide homes to numerous woodland mammals, birds, insects and plants that can thrive nowhere else.
Pledge or donate for trees to be planted in Ireland.
Such forests reflect our traditional landscape and restore astonishingly diverse benefits, from carbon sequestration and water filtration through habitat provision for many creatures. And not forgetting simple, pure sensory delight.
Conservation
The management of nature and Earth's biodiversity to avoid from habitat destruction, excessive extinction rates and the erosion of biotic interactions.
Nature has a prolific ability to regenerate itself, and observing its recovery can be a thrilling experience. In many instances, nature can heal itself and in other humans can greatly assist it. Working with leading experts, Hometree works to re-establish thriving ecosystems resilient and legally protected over the long-term.