Connecting With Nature by Kieran Flood Published July 10th 2024 Taking time to connect with nature is a valuable exercise for our wellbeing and for nature too. Most of us feel a sense of belonging and joy when we spend time in nature. This is sometimes referred to as biophilia and it is […]
Press Release 86% of Irish people support stricter protection of Marine Protected Areas 25 June 2024 New polls released today show that 86% of citizens across 7 EU countries expect their political leaders to prioritise the protection of marine biodiversity. An independent polling company interviewed approximately 1000 people in each of the […]
Press Release A Historic Day for Europe and Nature 17th June 2024 The EU Nature Restoration Law is finally passed by the EU Council of Environmental Minister’s after several years of negotiations The EU Nature restoration Law which aims to restore 20% of EU land and 20% of EU seas was […]
Press Release IWT welcomes government support for Nature Restoration Law and calls on other states to step up for nature. 14/6/2023 The Nature Restoration Law is officially on the agenda for debate and a potential vote in the upcoming EU Environment Council meeting on the 17th June. This is the final […]
Nature Can’t Vote but You Can. Published 28th May 2024 The European and Local elections are coming up on June 7th and we are encouraging everyone to get out and vote. Nature cannot vote but you can, so why not use your vote to help protect and restore nature. Sometimes the EU can seem […]
Why should I take part in No Mow May? Published May 4th 2024 No Mow May is an annual campaign started by Plantlife in the UK, asking everyone to put away the lawnmower during the month of May to help our native wildlife. The All Ireland Pollinator Plan endorsed this campaign in Ireland […]
Ireland’s first Marine National Park – what does it mean for nature? Published: April 25th 2024 On the 22nd of April, Irish Ministers announced Ireland’s first Marine National Park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara. This will be Ireland’s largest National Park covering more than 70,000 acres of land and sea. This is an inspiring […]
Press Release EU wide campaign launched to end destructive bottom trawling in protected areas Published: April 24th 2024 A new report, co-authored by Marine Conservation Society, Seas at Risk and Oceana looks at destructive bottom trawling in 7 EU Member States’ marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and urges the European Commission to ban […]
Call to Action: Consultation on Trawling Activity in 6 Nautical Mile Zone Published April 05th 2024 The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wants to hear your views on vessels trawling within the 6 nautical mile (6nm) zone around Ireland’s coastlines and we are encouraging everyone to take the time to submit a […]
EU Member States Backtracking On Nature Restoration Law Undermines Democratic Process By Grace Carr Published March 28th 2024 A very disappointing turn of events has happened over the past week in regards to the NRL. The Council should have completed the final rubber stamp of the law on Monday. This is usually just a formality […]
Press Release Irish Wildlife Trust refuses to accept cash over conviction Published 14th March 2024 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is disappointed to learn that in a recent wildlife crime court case a successful conviction for the destruction of a badger sett was altered on appeal to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court applied […]
EU Nature Restoration Law – A Deep Dive Published: March 14th 2024 Author: Grace Carr, IWT Marine Advocacy Officer. First Published by Fair Seas. Here we look at the recently passed EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and what it means for life in the ocean. In this blog we look at the marine targets within […]
Press Release Nature Restoration Law passed by European Parliament 27th February 2024 The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes the passing of the Nature Restoration Law and believes this is a substantial step forward on the way to restoring our degraded ecosystems. While the law has been weakened since the Commission’s original proposal back in 2022, it […]
The Irish Sea Network (ISN) releases its new report ‘Ecological Considerations for Marine Spatial Planning in the Irish Sea’. Published: February 9th, 2024 The Irish Wildlife Trust, SWAN and 11 other environmental organisations across Ireland and the UK are urging their governments to take a collaborative and ecosystem based approach to marine spatial […]
WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2024 World Wetlands Day stands as a global reminder of the crucial role wetlands play in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. These vibrant ecosystems are especially critical for iconic Irish species such as the Curlew, a bird whose calls are synonymous with Irish wetlands yet is alarmingly diminishing from our landscapes. The […]
Bottom Trawling in the EU, the UK and Ireland The marine environment as well as the fisheries sector face a number of issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change as well as challenges arising from political matters like Brexit. Ensuring that marine ecosystems are restored and protected effectively will not only preserve the incredible […]
The Irish Wildlife Trust is hiring a Finance & Compliance Officer Job Title: Finance & Compliance Officer Organisation: The Irish Wildlife Trust Location: 8 Cabra Road, Dublin 7, Ireland Hours: 3 to 5 days per week Salary Rate: €35,000-38,000 per year pro rata Start date: As soon as possible Closing date for applications: Monday 22nd […]
This year, marine policy has been at forefront of the Irish Wildlife Trust’s advocacy efforts, as we collaborated with multiple NGOs to lobby for enhanced marine protection. Read the following sections for an in-depth look at some of the highs and lows of marine conservation in 2023. Marine Protected Area Bill In January, […]
2023 has been filled with many ups and downs when it comes to biodiversity and conservation measures for nature in Ireland, read on for some of the most important developments of the year. Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and EU Biodiversity Strategy One of the best news stories for nature conservation this year was the […]
Press Release Essential Nature Restoration Law Survives EU Negotiations Published 10th November 2023 EU Trilogue Negotiations have concluded on the Nature Restoration Law. Although ambition has been weakened from the original vision for this law, it is now a step closer to becoming a reality and supporting Ireland’s efforts to save nature. The Irish […]
Press Release Environmental NGOs Rebukes Government For Slow Progress On Key Ocean Protection Legislation Published: 25 October 2023 Fair Seas Coalition deliver 11,758 signature petition calling for urgent legislation A coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs has strongly criticised the government for failing to publish key legislation that would protect Irish seas and help tackle […]
Press Release Wildart 2023 – Children’s Wildlife Art Competition open for Entries 10th October The Irish Wildlife Trust is excited to announce the launch of WildArt 2023, an engaging art competition that invites young artists to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Irish woodlands during the autumn season. Under the theme “Autumn […]
Press Release EU Nature Restoration Law cannot restore marine ecosystems without addressing Fisheries Impacts 28th September 2023 After the Summer recess in the EU Parliament, final trilogue negotiations have begun on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) and will determine how ambitious and effective this law will be. The negotiations will take place between the […]
The Nature Restoration Law was proposed by the European Commission in June 2022. This law is part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy which is a key element to the European Green Deal. It aims to help recover Europe’s extreme biodiversity loss by 2030. The original text which was proposed had restoration targets to cover […]
This is the text of a message sent to IWT members from the Board of Directors following the resignation of our staff member Pádraic Fogarty. Interested members of the public beyond our own IWT membership have contacted us about this incident so we have decided to publish this message here for public reference. Message […]
OPINION Drift of the farm orgs By Pádraic Fogarty 15th July 2023 This blog represents the views of the author and is not an Irish Wildlife Trust position. Last May, I found myself on the farm of Donie Regan in the west of County Offaly. The open day was organised by the Farm Carbon […]
Press Release Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes new marine designations but warns that fisheries must be controlled if they are to be effective. 14th July 2023 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) welcomes the latest announcement of a large new Special Protection Area (SPA) in the north-west Irish Sea. SPAs are designated under existing legislation for the protection […]
Press Release 12th July 2023 Nature thrown a lifeline as motion to reject Nature Restoration Law is defeated The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is delighted that MEPs today (12th July) voted to pass the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). This is a substantial step forward for the European Green Deal and while it could be more […]
OPINION Nature Restoration must be supported by Irish MEPs By Damien Thomson Political Advisor to the Left grouping in the European Parliament on environment & climate, July 10th 2023 On Wednesday (July 12th), there will be an extraordinarily decisive vote in the European Parliament which will decide whether we have a chance of overcoming […]
Ireland has lost a case brought to the European Court of Justice by the European Commission over its failure to implement the Habitats Directive. The judgement occurred on the 29th of June after a lengthy case and highlights Ireland’s consistent failure to protect nature on land and at sea. Recap In 2004, 423 […]
