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Niamh’s

Nature Blog

Connecting you deeper to our natural world we all share our lives with

Nature & folklore: an interwoven legacy in Ireland
The Reforest Nation Team The Reforest Nation Team

Nature & folklore: an interwoven legacy in Ireland

Irish folklore and nature have a deep and intertwined relationship that has been passed down through generations. From ancient tales of faeries, banshees, and leprechauns to modern legends of haunted forests and mysterious lakes, Irish folklore has always been steeped in the natural world.

This blog follows that entanglement — tracing how place and story have grown together, and how the land still speaks, if we know how to listen.

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Ivy does not kill trees: debunking the myth
The Reforest Nation Team The Reforest Nation Team

Ivy does not kill trees: debunking the myth

Ivy has a reputation for being a ruthless "killer" of trees, strangling them and taking away their life force. This perception of ivy has been ingrained in many people's minds for years, and as a result, ivy is often seen as a nuisance plant that should be removed. However, this view is not entirely accurate, and it is important to understand why ivy has such a bad reputation and why it is so beneficial for wildlife.

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Trees secret intelligence: a look at this hidden world
The Reforest Nation Team The Reforest Nation Team

Trees secret intelligence: a look at this hidden world

Trees have been a source of inspiration and wonder for humans for thousands of years. From the ancient mythologies that depict trees as guardians and protectors of the earth to the more recent scientific discoveries about their complex systems and processes, trees have captured our imagination and left us in awe. But what about their intelligence? Can trees be considered intelligent beings?

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Ireland’s fake forests: why our “forests” are not natural
The Reforest Nation Team The Reforest Nation Team

Ireland’s fake forests: why our “forests” are not natural

Conifer plantations are large monocultures of non-native conifer trees, such as Sitka spruce, pine, and larch. These plantations were introduced to Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to meet the increasing demand for timber. However, the introduction of conifer plantations has had a profound and lasting impact on Ireland's biodiversity, and has led to significant harm to the country's ecosystems. In this blog, we will examine what conifer plantations are, why they were introduced to Ireland, and why they are bad for Ireland's biodiversity.

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Ireland’s vanished forests: where did they go?
The Reforest Nation Team The Reforest Nation Team

Ireland’s vanished forests: where did they go?

Ireland has a long and complex history of deforestation that dates back thousands of years. The country was once covered in dense forests, but over time, the forests were gradually cleared for agriculture, fuel, and construction. Today, less than 10% of Ireland’s original forests remain, and the impact of this deforestation has been felt by the country’s environment, wildlife, and people. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the timeline and causes of Ireland’s historic deforestation.

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