Rooted in honesty

Transparency

Because trust should be planted, nurtured, and easy to see grow

How we work

We believe trust grows the same way a forest does—slowly, with care, and from the ground up. That’s why we’re open about how we’re funded, who we partner with, and how your support turns into trees, habitats, and impact.

  • Powered by people, not politics

    We’re fully funded by individuals and businesses who believe in rewilding Ireland and beyond. That means no government grants and no outside influence steering the mission. Just real people planting real change.

    Financial independence

    We intentionally avoid public funding, so our work stays nimble, community-driven, and free from red tape. Your support goes directly to the forests, fields, and projects you care about — not into bureaucratic loops.

    Partnerships that align

    We work with businesses that are genuinely trying to make an impact — not just run a greenwashed campaign. If it feels like a box-ticking exercise, we say no. We’d rather grow slowly than compromise on what matters.

  • Volunteer-driven, mission-focused

    From hands-in-the-soil planting days to community outreach, volunteers are the heartbeat of Reforest Nation. Their time and energy make our projects possible and our mission personal.

    Leadership you can see

    Led by wildlife biologist and founder Gearóid, our direction is grounded in science and transparency. Every decision is made with impact in mind and community in heart.

    Members help guide the way

    Our members don’t just support the mission — they help shape it. Through monthly project votes, feedback surveys, and shared decision-making, you have a voice in what comes next.

Operations & growth

Keeping the mission moving — and the roots strong

Quick note on fees: business payments reclaim VAT (13.5%), so more of that support goes straight into the ground. Individual payments include VAT, and online payments come with a standard Stripe fee (2.9% + €0.30 per transaction).

  • Our operational budget helps fund a small, dedicated team — giving them the tools and stability they need to keep projects moving forward. We also maintain a reserve fund to stay resilient during uncertainty or unexpected challenges.

  • A major portion of our funding goes straight into the ground — planting native trees across Ireland and supporting large-scale restoration in Africa. But our work doesn’t stop at trees. We also fund the recovery of meadows, bogs, and habitats essential to biodiversity.

  • We invest in better tools, better systems, and stronger outreach — everything from fencing to protect young trees, to new campaigns and features for members. Every investment helps grow the impact you make possible.

Where the money goes

Every cent is tracked, every tree is counted. Here’s how we used our funds in 2024

Note: this impact breakdown reflects our goals for 2024–2025. Actual results and spending may vary depending on conditions — but this is our roadmap for creating meaningful change.

  • We’re planting native trees across more counties than any other initiative in Ireland. Every forest is designed for biodiversity, with up to 27 species chosen to suit each site’s ecology. So far, we’ve planted in 15 counties — and counting. This work is done alongside farmers, landowners, schools, and community groups, bringing forests back to life from the ground up.

  • We partner with Seedballs Kenya to reforest degraded land using a brilliant solution: native tree seeds encased in charcoal dust. These lightweight Seedballs are tossed directly onto dry land, waiting to sprout when the rains come. Over 4.4 million Seedballs have already been spread, with support from people like you — and a feature from David Attenborough, too!

  • Our work doesn’t stop at forests. We support restoration projects that bring wildflower meadows back to life for pollinators, and bog restoration efforts that revive peatlands — vital ecosystems for biodiversity and climate resilience.

  • We’re proud to support Ireland’s first purpose-built wildlife hospital, where sick and orphaned wild animals are rescued, rehabilitated, and released. Thousands of creatures — from foxes to falcons — are getting a second chance, thanks to this vital work.

  • A portion of our funding supports the growth of Reforest Nation — through better tools, stronger outreach, new features for members, and more impactful campaigns. Whether it’s planting trees or building a movement, every step forward deepens our impact.continue restoring habitats across the country. Every step forward means a bigger, more positive impact on the environment.

Our impact, in real time

Rewilding the land, restoring the air, rooting hope in every county

5,017,185

trees rooted since 2021

1,003,437

growing wilder, one tree at a time

15 counties

kg of CO₂ pulled from the sky*

Where your trees take root

From Cork to Donegal, forests are taking root — with new counties joining the journey every season.

Answers to common questions

FAQ’s

  • We keep things transparent and grounded. You can see where your trees are planted, follow updates as the forest grows, and even come visit. We aim to plant one native tree for every €2 contributed, and we often stretch further. Our focus is always on real-world impact — not big offices or bloated admin — just trees in the ground, growing into something meaningful.

  • It’s a fair question — but Ireland has lost more of its native forests than almost anywhere in Europe. Restoring them isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. One tree won’t solve everything, but one tree leads to another. Local action is how global change begins, and this is our way of being part of that bigger shift.

  • We don’t just plant more trees — we plant smarter. Our eco-optimised methods support faster growth, richer biodiversity, and stronger long-term ecosystems. Every species we use is native, and every forest is meant to last. Plus, we open it all up — planting days, forest visits, and seasonal updates. This isn’t just about trees. It’s about connection.

  • That’s part of nature. Weather, wildlife, or soil conditions mean a few trees won’t survive — and we plan for that. Every site includes extra trees to make sure the forest still flourishes, even with a few setbacks. We plant with resilience in mind, so your support keeps growing long after the planting day.

  • We’re careful about where we plant. Our sites are usually places that have been heavily grazed, over-farmed, or stripped of native cover. We avoid wild bogs or intact ecosystems — those need protection, not planting. Every forest we create is designed to restore balance, not interfere with what nature’s already doing well.

  • We’re a not-for-profit social enterprise, which means everything goes back into the mission. No shareholders, no big margins — just a focus on restoring Ireland’s native forests. We’ve planted over a million trees so far, and we keep things open: from forest maps to seasonal updates to invitations to visit the sites yourself. We believe trust should be earned, not assumed — and that starts with showing our work.

More FAQ'S