Learning about Forests - LEAF Ireland

Building on the success of our previous Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded project, we were delighted to return to DCU and deliver a series of LEAF workshops throughout February and March for student teachers🌳

The workshops explored Trees, Forests & Outdoor Education through a mix of interactive indoor discussions and hands-on outdoor learning activities. Participants explored the importance of trees and hedgerows, while deepening their understanding of the life cycle of wood products, resource efficiency, and sustainability🍃

We also discussed common barriers to forest education and practical ways to overcome them, alongside exploring the new curriculum’s growing emphasis on outdoor education and how trees and hedgerows can provide an engaging focal point for learning.

A huge thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for funding this project and Biodiversity Partners for supporting the delivery of the workshops in DCU 🌱

🌳 Final Visit to Marino Institute of Education 🌳

Early February we completed our final LEAF workshop visit with trainee teachers at Marino Institute of Education as part of our Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded project.

It has been incredibly rewarding to work with engaged lecturers and such enthusiastic trainee teachers who will go on to inspire hundreds of students in the years ahead. By equipping educators with the knowledge and confidence to explore sustainable forest management schemes and climate resilience that promotes the multi-functional benefits of trees and forests, the impact of this project will continue long after our workshops have ended.

That’s a wrap on bare root season 🌱

Time to hang up the spades and shovels until next November after an incredible few months of planting. Almost 1,500 native trees of Irish provenance are now rooted in schools and colleges across the country.

In the years ahead, these spaces will grow into thriving habitats, outdoor classrooms for students and safe havens for wildlife.

Here’s to watching them take root, grow strong, and make a lasting impact 🍃

Thanks to Hometree for supplying us with our native trees 🌿& a special thanks to all the participants who braved the winter weather to help restore nature 🍃

Foundation for Environmental Education Global Action Days is back again for 2026 and the theme this year is 'Food security and climate change' to explore how food connects people and the planet through five creative, hands-on activities. 🌏 🌽 🌿

There's some great resources offering an inspiring way to learn, create and take action to understand the global food systems. Check out the resources and register for the campaign today: https://www.fee.global/global-action-days-2026