Crann na Beatha-Native Provenance Tree Nursery Project
I am so very, very excited to announce the launch of:
Crann na Beatha – County Kildare Native Provenance Tree Nursery Project 2026.
Kindly funded through the Biodiveristy officer of Kildare County Council through the NPWS Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026.
We are delighted to have received funding to run this County Kildare Native Provenance Tree Nursery Project for 2026. This project aims to educate people around our native trees, source incredible sources of native tree seed around the county, gather and process that seed and set up a number of community tree nursery projects. In the long term the vision is to plant woodlands in a variety of community settings like schools, community woodlands, public spaces, GAA grounds, so that we can see a visible rise in woodland ecosystems in County Kildare that are accessible and used by the people of County Kildare.
We are planning to run a 5 session training programmes around tree id, native woodland ecology, seed harvest & processing and the practical setting up of a tree nursery, in the autumn of 2026. The project also commits to engage with 3 community projects to start Community tree nursery projects in three locations around County Kildare.
If you or your community group would be interested in being involved please get in touch with me via my email at lucy@growingwild.ie
Autumn Programme of Events:
Session 1: Saturday 19th September: Introduction at Littlewood, Donadea. Start time: (10am for tea) 10.30-1pm.
Session 2: Saturday 3rd October: Woodland Wander & Seed Gathering – Castletown House. Time: 10.30-1pm.
Session 3: Saturday 10th October: Woodland Wander and Seed Gathering – Location tbc.
Session 4: Saturday 24th October: Seed processing & Tree Nursery bed building @ Littlewood, Donadea. Start time: (10am for tea) 10.30-1pm.
Session 5: Spring 2027 – Stratified Seeds Planting Session.
Database of Native Tree Seed!
We’re looking to start a database of Native Provenance trees around the county that are good sources of tree seed. The plan is over time to set up community seed harvesters that then feed these seeds into various community tree seed nurserys that will over time be dotted around the county.
If you know of any good native trees that provide lots of seed, please let us know!! We’re looking for all kinds of native trees, the big ones like oak and hazel but also the lesser seen ones such as Guelder Rose, Quaking Aspen, Blackthorn, Rowan, Spindle and Holly.
If you or your community group would be interested in being involved please get in touch with me via my email at lucy@growingwild.ie