We were thrilled in February to sign off on the purchase of an additional 16.36 acres of land, only a mere 300metres away from the original Wildacres site.
This brings the Wildacres landholding to 34 acres. We have already started working on restoring habitats on the new site, which effectively is a blank canvas.
Hedgerow planting on new Wildacres land thanks to a super group of ReWild WIcklow volunteers
We held a volunteer day on 22nd March with the wonderful charity ReWild Wicklow. On the day we planted over 250metres of double row, native hedgerow.
ReWild Wicklow Volunteers plant trees on the new Wildacres land March 2025
ReWild Wicklow Volunteers planting hedgerow on new Wildacres land
We also planted approximately 60 Oak trees, all grown from locally collected acorns in our Wildacres Native Tree Nursery, into a specially fenced off deer exclosure.
Danny Alvey ReWild Wicklow planting trees at Wildacres
It was great to get these various native tree species into the ground, to make up what will be a wonderful wildlife habitat in the form of a future dense wildlife hedgerow and also, an acre of native oak woodland.
- The profile of the land is quite different from the original Wildacres site, in that this land is well drained.
- Though we still have identified some damper locations for future wildlife ponds….. well you would have to… wouldn’t you! 😊
- Other promising features of the new land are the potential for a drier category wildflower meadow, as opposed to the 4 acre wet wildflower meadow on the original site. Also, we are extremely happy to have a stream running the full length of the western boundary of the land.
- Additionally, the boundary hedgerows are “escaped” not having been cut regularly which is a wonderful habitat for wildlife.
- So, lots of potential to bring wildlife back and restore and recreate wildlife habitat.
- Habitats which in the future we can then showcase to visitors, to demonstrate what can be done to restore Irelands decimated biodiversity.
- Also on a positive note, to hopefully inspire visitors to take actions in their outdoor spaces, actions that can be on any scale to help wildlife.
We look forward to welcoming more visitors to Wildacres to highlight and showcase the absolute wonder and beauty of our incredible native biodiversity.
So why not check out our “Whats On” page here to book into one of our upcoming events for an enjoyable and inspiring Wildacres experience.
