Gaelic Woodland Project
HELP MAKE A NEW FOREST IN IRELAND
We're raising money to buy land in the Heart of Ireland. Upon it, we will sow the seeds of a commemorative woodland, dedicated to Eire and the Irish Diaspora.
Reclaim your roots: Patrons will be offered their own 21-year licensed plot in the woodland. This family plot can be gifted or inherited and facilitates inter-generational cooperation.
We want to create a space dedicated to posterity. We will design this wild Irish oasis with a mosaic of habitat to create functional biodiversity that supports native wildlife.
Our target is 50 acres (estimated €500,000): but this is an overestimation.
We will purchase as much suitable land as possible with the money raised.
100% of the donations we collect will be used to buy that land.
This is a skill-sharing operation and we welcome you to join us.
So who will own the land?
Our patrons will receive their own 21-year licenced plot but the GWP will own the woodland to ensure it is never cut down.
The Gaelic Woodland Project is now a Registered Charity (RCN: 20206178).
Funding:
We will use the Native Woodland Scheme Grant to fund the planting and fencing of the woodland.
There are annual payments for this grant: these premiums will be used to cover operational costs (land registration, licensing, etc.) and build our campaign for more restoration work around the country.
Ecological Inheritance
The children of Eire lost their ecological inheritance during this island's tumultuous history.
By 1900, Ireland was deforested, yet despite great efforts, we still have the lowest forestry cover in Europe.
70% of what we have is non-native conifer plantations: this is not functional habitat.
Our native woodland cover only accounts for 1.15% of the land.
Much of our remaining native woodland suffers from prodigious invasive species like Cherry Laurel.
We will work with landowners to support the enhancement of hedgerows, the expansion of field margins and the adoption of agroforestry. We're working with the local community to maximise the synergies for both the environment and human well-being.
This work celebrates our ancient connection to the land and we hope it empowers each individual to become a Caomhnóir na Coillte Mór, Guardian of the Great Wood.
If you feel the call to action, come join our community. This is a skill-sharing platform with the intention:
Ireland was stripped bare, and we choose to redress her.
JOIN & SHARE OUR CAMPAIGN!
If you want to share your skills or get more involved please at us at gaelicwoodlandproject [@] gmail.com
