Why I want to build a new forest in Cork...

IN recent months, I have been doing lots of travelling around Ireland, and I can’t help but notice the lack of native trees and woodland in our country.

We have so many empty fields devoid of life and lots of spruce trees - mostly planted to be cut down. We are in dire need of re-wilding in this country.

That is why I have started The Reforestation Project in my native Cork.

I felt powerless to do anything in the beginning, but quickly realised I do have the power to do something, and the idea for the project was born.

My mission is to get people together working toward a common goal; It will take some time and a lot of dedication, but I believe we can do this and inspire others to do the same.

It’s a necessary cause and it will bring people together, inspiring community spirit, and nurture our relationship with our land.

It is vital for our future to have more native forests, as they reintroduce wildlife to the area and are only beneficial to the planet.

Whether this project happens now, or 10 years in the future, it is worth the effort and I am committed and dedicating myself to it.

The plan is to buy a site in Cork, the location for the forest will be decided once we have reached around €30,000 through fundraising.

I have an affinity for Clonakilty as I live nearby, and there are not many native public woodlands locally.

However, the location will depend on how much we have raised and what sites are available to purchase at the time.

But, regardless of the exact location, it is going to be an incredibly beneficial project for Cork.

We will plant all the native trees, fungi, fauna and flowers of Ireland.

I will take all the help that is offered, be it donating seeds or saplings from your garden, donating money to the fundraiser, or simply sharing the cause with your friends and family!

All help is welcome and greatly appreciated, and the names of all those who donate and volunteer will be honoured on a plaque or possibly a monument in the forest.

I will also commission local craftspeople for the making of benches and beehives.

I vow that this land will forever remain protected, never to be sold, and will always be open to the public.

This project is especially close to my heart. I think of all the wildlife it will bring to the area, which is vital to our ecosystem and in turn our health, the community connections that can be made here, gatherings that can be held...

I then think to the future and imagine bringing my own children there and being able to tell them “We did this for you”.

It will be a public space where people can bring their family, walk their dogs, and spend quality time in nature - and I believe it will be even more special to those who brought it to life.

I hope to inspire others with this project and let them see that we can make a change.

Although this is our first project, it will not be the last.

It would make a huge difference if you could help in any way you can, such as sharing the page, donating, or if you are a business owner in Cork, to keep a donation box on your premises for this cause. Any and all help is welcome.

About Ailish Creedon

Ailish was born in Cork in 1998, raised in Crossbarry, and went to primary school in Knockavilla NS, followed by St Brogan’s College, Bandon.

She started a small craft enterprise called Conscious Scents shortly after she left school where she makes natural perfumes and skin care products using essential oils and other natural ingredients.

You can mostly find her selling these at local markets.

She also works part-time in another local Cork business called David Chocolatier, which makes artisan chocolate.

The link to the Gofund me:

https://gofund.me/3db86a73

Or follow her on Instagram: @the_reforestation_project