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.

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

🌳 Celebrating National Tree Week! 🌳

Wednesday was another stunning day with another fantastic group of 1st year student teachers from Marino Institute of Education. Together, alongside colleagues from Green-Campus & Green-Schools, we planted two new woodland habitats as part of their Nature Restoration Education Project, kindly funded by the Foundation for Environmental Education ✨

It’s always inspiring to see future educators getting hands-on with nature, growing a greener future together while gaining the confidence and skills to bring similar nature restoration projects into the schools where they will teach in the future. 🌱

Working side by side with this brilliant group of soon-to-be teachers, we planted over 200 native trees, creating spaces designed not only for wildlife but also for learning. Approximately 600 trees have been planted so far this month. The site now includes space for an outdoor classroom, two newly planted native hedgerows, and an to support biodiversity.

By empowering the next generation of teachers, we’re helping ensure that both wildlife and students can flourish for years to come.

A big shout out to Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte for providing some of the trees for these planting events.