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Written by Emily Nolan
Published 19th December 2024
As we close the chapter on 2024, it’s clear that this has been a standout year for the Irish Wildlife Trust. In a time of growing environmental challenges and occasional political uncertainty, we’ve come together as a community to make meaningful strides in protecting Ireland’s wildlife and wild spaces.
From advocating for policy changes at home and in Brussels to hosting creative events that connected people to nature, every step we’ve taken has been driven by our shared passion for nature protection and restoration.
This year has shown us that every action, no matter how small, plays a vital role in the bigger picture. Whether it was learning to tell your Common Carder Bee from your Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, gaining new insights into Ireland’s native woodlands at our Heritage Week events, or raising your voice in support of our advocacy campaigns, these moments of engagement have been the building blocks of our collective impact. Nature protection and restoration is not just about the headline wins—it’s about the individual connections to nature that inspire us to keep going.
One note from our Tree of Wishes at Bloom 2024 this year. This is a wish that is well on it’s way to being realised!
We’ve seen the incredible impact we can achieve when we work together. As we reflect on the past year, let’s celebrate our shared achievements—every win, big and small—that have brought us closer to a future where Ireland’s wild nature thrives.
We’ve strengthened our foundations by welcoming incredible new talent to the Irish Wildlife Trust team. Rupert Butler joined us as our Finance & Compliance Officer earlier this year bringing essential expertise to improve our financial governance and to make our charity more resilient. While Emily Nolan, joining the team at the end of last year as our Communications Officer has bolstered our ability to connect with our community. Across our branches, we recently welcomed new volunteers and committee members whose energy and contributions are already making a difference. These additions reflect our commitment to building a strong, dedicated team that can drive even greater impact for Ireland’s wild spaces in the year ahead.
25/09/2024 Fair Seas Rally Photo: Gareth Chaney
In 2024, we ramped up our advocacy efforts to drive meaningful policy change. Led by our dedicated Marine Advocacy Officer, Grace Carr, we championed the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) through lobbying trips to Brussels in February and September, meeting with MEPs to ensure Ireland’s voice for nature was heard on a European stage. The NRL finally became law in 2024 marking a big win for nature.
Closer to home, we ran a targeted campaign on the 6nm public consultation and submitted detailed responses to nine consultations on critical issues, including fisheries, aquaculture, offshore renewable energy (ORE), and wildlife legislation. To keep our community informed and engaged, we hosted two webinars following the NRL’s passage, outlining the next steps for restoration plans. These webinars are available on our YouTube Channel, and Grace has also penned an insightful blog reflecting on the year’s advocacy developments—a must-read as we look ahead to 2025.
Collaboration has been key to our success. As active members of the Irish Environmental Network, the Environmental Pillar, and Seas At Risk, we’ve worked alongside advocates and experts across Ireland and Europe. In a time of environmental urgency, cross-organisation collaboration—locally, nationally, and globally—remains essential to securing a brighter, more resilient future for our wildlife.
Attendees at Louch Muckno. Led by ecologist Billy Flynn
Our vibrant network of branches is truly the lifeblood of the Irish Wildlife Trust. In 2024, five active branches—Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Monaghan, and Dublin—played a central role in connecting communities and building resilience in the face of Ireland’s biodiversity crisis. If you haven’t already joined your nearest branch, we encourage you to get involved—new members are always welcome! By bringing people together through events and shared experiences, our branches inspire action, strengthen community connections, and ensure society benefits from coexisting with diverse, functioning ecosystems.
This year, we hosted an incredible variety of events that brought people closer to nature and deepened their connection to Ireland’s wildlife. From local biodiversity workshops to national advocacy campaigns, 2024 was filled with memorable moments. Thanks to the tireless dedication of our volunteers, we delivered 46 nature events across the country, reaching communities in Donegal, Down, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, Monaghan, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow. We were also proud to participate in major festivals like Bloom, the Rose Festival, Nature Fest, and Wild Mind, engaging with even more people passionate about Ireland’s natural heritage.
None of this would have been possible without our volunteers. Whether guiding nature walks, setting up events, or sharing their knowledge, their time, energy, and enthusiasm are the backbone of our work. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed this year—you make everything we do possible.
Photograph of Oleandar Hawkmoth taken at the discovery site.
One recent highlight perfectly illustrates the power of community to spark curiosity and a love for nature. In September, a rare Oleander Hawk-Moth (Daphnis nerii) was spotted in Limerick City—the first confirmed sighting in Ireland since 1997. Local resident Noel Curtin made the discovery and shared it with the IWT Limerick Branch, where it was quickly identified and celebrated by the BDBD group (Butterflies, Damselflies, Bees, and Dragonflies). Moments like this remind us of the exciting discoveries that can come from engaged communities working together.
Collaboration remains central to our branches’ success. A great example is our Kerry branch, which contributed to several research projects this year in partnership with groups like the Shannon Dolphin Group, Irish Elasmobranch Group, Tralee Tidy Towns, Life Beneath the Waves, and River Stories. These partnerships highlight the power of working together to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes. We will undoubtedly see more collaboration like this as we grow from strength to strength in 2025.
Attendee at the public presentation of the Dromore Mapping Project
Heritage Week was an inspiring celebration of Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage, bringing people together to connect with the landscapes and wildlife that make our country so special. One of the standout events was the first public presentation of the Dromore Mapping Project, which brought together community action and innovation. IWT Monaghan branch showcased an interactive database and 3D model that mapped the Dromore river catchment, highlighting its potential as a biodiversity corridor. This project grew out of community action to protect the Dromore River, which flows through a beautiful network of rivers and lakes between Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, and Cootehill, Co. Cavan. For many participants, it was an eye-opening experience to see how these waterways form vital lifelines for wildlife—and how much potential there is to restore and preserve them. We are excited to see where this project goes. More exciting updates on this project will be announced next year, so make sure you don’t miss out by joining our newsletter.
Materials used during nature workshop at Connecting The Dots
Another favourite from Heritage Week was Connecting the Dots, a unique event that blended art and ecology in the peaceful woodlands of Lisnavagh House. Walking among old native trees like oak, ash, and wych elm, participants learned about the intricate relationships that keep our native woodlands thriving. But it didn’t stop there. With artists and eco-educators Gareth Kennedy and Mairead Holohan, we set up a woodland encampment where everyone got hands-on—crafting with natural materials, exploring their history, and discovering new ways to connect with nature. The experience was a wonderful reminder of how art and ecology can come together to deepen our appreciation of the wild places we’re working to protect.
Attendees at People for Bees workshop in the National Botanic Gardens
Biodiversity Week was a standout moment of the year, shining a spotlight on pollinators and other vital species that contribute to Ireland’s ecosystems. On World Bee Day, we teamed up with the NPWS at Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve for a People for Bees event, where participants learned to identify Irish bee species and discovered practical ways to create bee-friendly habitats. At the National Botanic Gardens, another People for Bees session offered attendees an interactive opportunity to refine their identification skills and explore pollinator-friendly gardening through a guided garden walk. Meanwhile, at Curraghchase Forest Park, participants joined a biodiversity recording event, documenting dragonflies, butterflies, and woodland plants in collaboration with Kilcornan Tidy Towns. These hands-on events celebrated the power of citizen science and underscored the critical role each of us can play in protecting Ireland’s biodiversity.
This year, we made significant strides in strengthening how we connect with our members and the wider community.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Fabiola Vieira, our Administration Assistant we successfully launched a new membership system. This upgrade makes it easier for members to manage their membership and stay connected with our work, ensuring a smoother, more user-friendly experience. Fabiola’s commitment to this project has been invaluable, and we’re excited to see more members benefiting from these improvements.
We also expanded our online shop, adding a fantastic range of new book titles for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge of Ireland’s nature or find the perfect gift for someone who loves the wild, there’s something for everyone. You can browse the collection here.
We recently had the rare and special opportunity to bring together our board members, staff, and committee members for a weekend of connection and collaboration. Hosted by the IWT Monaghan Branch at the Ballybay Wetlands Centre, the gathering offered an inspiring look at their incredible Dromore River Catchment Project, launched earlier this year. Moments like these—where our diverse team from across the country can come together to share ideas and experiences—are invaluable. We hope to make this kind of gathering a regular tradition, with plans to do it again in 2025.
As we celebrate the successes of 2024, we’re already looking ahead to a year of growth, action, and deeper connections. In 2025, we’ll expand our advocacy efforts, host even more community events, and build on our creative education initiatives to inspire and engage people across Ireland.
To strengthen our community ties, we’re planning more in-person meet-ups where nature enthusiasts can come together, share ideas, and build vibrant local networks dedicated to protecting wildlife.
We’re also excited to continue exploring the intersection of creativity and nature through our new magazine column Inspired by Nature, which will feature inspiring work rooted in Ireland’s natural world. Building on this theme, we plan to host more events that highlight this powerful and important crossover.
With a focus on action, collaboration, and restoration, 2025 promises to be a year of bold steps forward. We can’t wait for you to be part of it—stay involved, volunteer, and join us at upcoming events as we work toward a brighter, wilder future for Ireland’s wildlife.