Leitrim Communities Lead the Way with Return to Nature
Leitrim County Council is proud to highlight the success of the Return to Nature project, a landmark 2025 initiative that brought local parishes and communities together to restore and enhance biodiversity across church grounds throughout County Leitrim. Funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Local Biodiversity Action Fund and Leitrim County Council, and supported by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference and the Laudato Si’ movement, the project shows how national support can enable meaningful local action for nature.
Led by the Council’s Biodiversity Officer, the pilot project involved the communities of Ballinamore, Drumkeeran, Glenfarne and Carrigallen in practical measures such as ecological appraisals, wildflower meadows, native hedgerows, pollinator-friendly planting, the installation of bird and swift boxes, and the planting of heritage apple trees.
The project was celebrated at a well-attended community event in November at The Island Theatre, Ballinamore. Speakers on the night included Bishop Martin Hayes, who affirmed the importance of faith communities caring for creation, alongside contributions from the project ecologist and Leitrim County Council’s Biodiversity Officer. The event highlighted the power of collaboration and encouraged communities to continue their work for biodiversity into the future.
Building on this momentum, further hands-on activities are planned in Drumkeeran in January 2026, including tree planting, habitat enhancement and community engagement. With a long-term vision to return 30% of church grounds to nature and to connect wildlife corridors across communities, the Return to Nature project is laying strong foundations for biodiversity, climate resilience and faith-led environmental action in Leitrim and beyond.
