Restoring nature & biodiversity in urban environments
Bringing nature back to urban life
We are working to protect, restore and expand natural landscapes within or close to urban centres.
We will work towards an equitable access to nature; all suburbs should be leafy suburbs.
By restoring ecosystems through collaboration and education, we can enrich the lives of urban dwellers, and make these spaces more resilient to climate change.
Benefits of Urban Nature
Expanding the presence of nature and restoring damaged ecosystems in urban and suburban settings is a vital response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. By identifying areas of high biodiversity potential and working in partnership with local volunteer groups and state agencies, we can ensure urban dwellers reconnect with nature while understanding the urgency of the crises we face.
There are so many benefits of urban nature - stabilising and reversing the tragic decline of insect, bird and native plant populations, improved air quality and public health, cleaner and safer waterways. We know that regular access to nature improves our mental health and wellbeing and hope this work meaningfully contributes to a societal shift in how we value nature that is already underway.
The Problem
Modern living has resulted in an ambivalence and disconnect to nature, particularly for those living in urban centres. Nature is neglected and there is little active strategic planning towards protecting it or restoring has been lost. This has perpetuated unequal access to urban wilderness that already exists in our town cities.
Public woodlands near town centres are almost exclusively in poor condition; Coillte owned forests follow a ecologically disastrous clear felling model while those run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service are almost all overgrazed or overrun with invasive species.
While many European cities are leading transformative urban greening projects to improve citizens quality of life, we are lacking coordinated planning and investment in biodiversity to safeguard our futures.
The Solution
The good news is that solutions are available and there are many exciting initiatives being progressed already at grass roots level. However, a holistic national greening strategy which involves central and local government, businesses and the wider public is needed.
Our solutions include increased and protected central government funding to enable local city councils to implement ambitious, long term greening projects. Local communities must be empowered to manage biodiversity projects. Consistent, measurable biodiversity targets must be agreed to address the disparity in access to green spaces across many Irish towns and cities.
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
What can i do?
If you want to bring nature back to where you live or wish to nominate a new greening zone in your town or city, go to the ‘Get Involved’ page of the website.
If you want to help the Urban Wilderness Team in achieving our proposed solutions or just get in touch directly, go to our contact page.
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