Press Release: Over 600,000 call on EU to defend nature laws as wildfires sweep across Europe 10 August 2026 As the European Commission’s public consultation on the future of the Birds and Habitats Directives closes today, more than 600,000 people have signed a petition calling on the EU to defend its nature laws. Devastating fires […]
Press Release: This Invasive Species Week, the IWT and Mary Reynolds are asking everyone to welcome native species into their gardens instead of planting invasives Be Plant Wise. Let nature lead. Plant native. 25 June 2026 The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) coordinates Invasive Species Week. You can learn all about Ireland’s invasive species and […]
Press Release: River Glyde Fish Kill Exposes Ongoing Failure to Protect Ireland’s Waterways Irish Wildlife Trust calls for prosecution and urgent action to address agricultural pollution 5 June 2026 The Irish Wildlife Trust has expressed outrage following confirmation of a devastating fish kill in the River Glyde, Co. Louth, where more than 20,000 fish have […]
IWT welcomes Commission action against Ireland over failure to designate protected areas at seas IWT Press Release 06 May 2026 The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to Ireland over its failure to designate protected areas at sea. Ireland has two months to provide a satisfactory response before the Commission decides whether […]
Irish Wildlife Trust calls for urgent action over misleading Sitka spruce forestry materials in schools IWT Press Release 21 April 2026 The Irish Wildlife Trust is calling for immediate action from the Department of Education and Youth to address and revise misleading messaging presented to primary school children by the Society of Irish Foresters, […]
Press Release 26th November 2025 Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes good news for the Glen The Irish Wildlife Trust has welcomed the news that the National Parks and Wildlife Service have purchased 100 acres of forestry land beside the Glen of the Downs nature reserve. IWT Chief Executive, Kieran Flood commented, “It is very encouraging to […]
The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes the announcement of large vessel trawling restrictions in Ireland’s 6nm zone IWT Press Release 22rd July 2025 The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes the announcement made today on the long overdue 6 nautical mile (nm) trawling ban. It has been announced that from the 1st of October 2026, trawling by […]
Press release 06th June 2025 The Irish Wildlife Trust calls for progress at Third United Nations Ocean Conference The Irish Wildlife Trust is calling on the Irish Government to take the opportunity of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference to announce the long awaited national MPA Bill with ambitious measures to effectively protect […]
Press Release 20th March 2025 The Irish Wildlife Trust is calling for the Irish Government to submit their overdue national roadmap for phasing out destructive fishing in Marine Protected Areas. A new study released today by Seas at Risk, Oceana and ClientEarth, environmental NGOs working on marine conservation issues, shows that, despite EU nature […]
Press release Date: 23rd January 2025 Irish Wildlife Trust calls on an Taoiseach, Michaél Martin, to show leadership for nature and treat the climate and biodiversity crises as the emergencies they are. The Irish Wildlife Trust looks forward to engaging with new Government Ministers on environmental issues and calls for the reinstatement of […]
Talks at COP16 in Colombia suspended without decision on financing Press Release 02nd Novmeber 2024 After an intense 2 weeks of negotiations at COP16, talks have been suspended at the final hurdle around the topic of resource mobilisation and financing. Talks carried on through the final night of the conference and were suspended […]
86% of Irish people support stricter protection of Marine Protected Areas Press Release 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 7 EU […]
A Historic Day for Europe and Nature Press Release 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 finally passed […]
IWT welcomes government support for Nature Restoration Law and calls on other states to step up for nature. Press Release 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 meeting of […]
EU wide campaign launched to end destructive bottom trawling in protected areas Press Release 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 bottom […]
Irish Wildlife Trust refuses to accept cash over conviction Press Release 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 […]
Nature Restoration Law passed by European Parliament Press Release 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Press Release Bad news for bogs as designated areas set to lose protections 4th July 2023 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is appalled that the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 is set to be passed by the Oireachtas (it is scheduled to be presented to the Dáil tomorrow evening, July 5th). The Bill, if enacted, will […]
Press Release European Court of Justice issues damning indictment of Ireland’s failure to protect nature 29th June 2023 The European Court of Justice today issued a damning finding against Ireland for its failure to implement the Habitats Directive. This ruling comes as no surprise to anyone following the deterioration of our natural environment and has […]
Press Release Irish MEPs must support a strong Nature Restoration Law at the European Parliament meeting in July 27th June 2023 Today, MEPs in the European Parliament committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) concluded their voting on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). The final vote was tied 44-44 which means […]
Press Release Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes Irish Government support for Nature Restoration 20th June 2023 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) warmly welcomes the strong endorsement by the EU Council of Ministers today in Luxembourg for the Nature Restoration Law. This throws a lifeline to the initiative which has been subject to a negative campaign led […]
Press Release MEPs have voted to keep the Nature Restoration Law alive and fought off attempts to quash it by the European People’s Party (Fine Geal’s European group) 15th June 2023 A key vote in Strasbourg has kept hopes alive for the livelihoods of millions of workers and the wellbeing of the planet. Voting […]
Press Release Irish political leaders must support Nature Restoration in the European Parliament May 25th 2023 The Irish Wildlife Trust is calling on all political leaders in Ireland to ensure that their MEPs support the Nature Restoration Law in the European Parliament This week the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries (PECH) and Agriculture and […]
Press Release Irish Wildlife Trust calls on the Government to send the Citizens’ Assembly report to an Oireachtas committee to fast-track action for nature 24th May 2023 The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is today calling on the Government to ensure the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss are fast-tracked for action. A […]
