Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF)

An Taisce’s LEAF programme addresses the Biodiversity and Climate Crisis by providing Nature-based Solutions, working with educational institutions, communities, and businesses nationwide to protect, restore and educate about the importance of our ecosystems and the multi-functional benefits of our forests.

Within educational institutions, LEAF goes beyond educating about topics such as biodiversity, climate, water, and community, with a goal to help educators feel confident to go outdoors with their students and celebrate the nature on their doorsteps and encourage them to allow their students the freedom to tap into their natural curiosity.

Students from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, Co. Kerry, recording the species present in their An Choill Bheag. This AnCB project was kindly funded by Coillte.

An Choill Bheag (AnCB) is a long-term initiative under LEAF. Small dense, biodiverse & native woodland habitats are created on school and community grounds. These are outdoor living classrooms where participants can learn skills of how to maintain, monitor and study these ecosystems over time.

In 2023, 13 woodlands were planted with approximately 2,600 trees.

Coillte funded four of these and it made a huge difference to the schools with 840 native trees planted. The wider community was also involved with engagement from teachers, parents and volunteers plus almost 500 students educated & upskilled.

Earlier this year, the work of LEAF was presented at ‘The Natural Way Forward Conference 2024’ in Belgium and one of the schools, Scoil Molaise, featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide.

Students from Scoil Molaise, Co Carlow, planted 200 native trees on their school grounds. This AnCB project was kindly funded by Coillte.

LEAF is currently seeking funding to roll out more restoration projects, create spaces to ‘educate the educators’, and revisit sites to continue research into the benefits of planting native woodlands.