Returning nature to the heart of our communities.

For everyone.

Join us in creating a network of Biodiversity Havens across Ireland

A young girl with curly red hair holding a potted plant with one leaf in front of her face, smiling, outdoors in a forest.

Our work is about more than just planting trees

Ireland is not as green as we would like to think. Native woodlands now cover less than 2% of our land, and biodiversity is under threat. To change this, we need to radically reimagine our relationship with nature.

Our vision is of a society where flourishing wild spaces are woven into the heart of every community. Working with schools, councils, and local groups, we identify and transform underused spaces into thriving Biodiversity Havens.

A small grove of trees with informational signs and yellow flowers in front, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A Haven for people and wildlife alike.

A Biodiversity Haven is an area of native trees and plants that can be adapted to fit within almost any space in your local area. What we term Biodiversity Havens are a range of interventions to create thriving and complex ecosystems.

A Biodiversity Haven can include:

Mini-woodlands
Larger community woodlands
Community ‘Fruit Guild’ orchards
Native hedgerows

Illustration of various green trees with the words 'Biodiversity Haven' at the top.

Each Biodiversity Haven is a co-creation with a community that strengthens the bonds between healthy soil, biodiversity and human well-being

Group of people outdoors in a grassy field with trees and a building in the background, standing together, some holding gloves, dressed in casual and weather-appropriate clothing, some smiling and one waving.

What makes a Biodiversity Haven so Amazing?

  • Close-up of a white flower with five petals and yellow stamens surrounded by green leaves.

    Flourishing Biodiversity

    We create complex ecosystems that mimic nature as closely as possible. We use only native trees and plants of Irish provenance that create habitats for pollinators, birds and other animals.

  • Group of people exploring a wooded area with autumn foliage, bordered by a grassy field.

    Climate Resilience

    Healthy soils capture carbon, mitigate flooding risk, and build climate resilience. All our projects ensure the health of the soils on-site which in turn ensures the overall health of the ecosystem.

  • Children planting a tree in what appears to be a community gardening activity, wearing safety vests and gloves.

    Community Collaboration

    Every Biodiversity Haven is a co-creation with a community - from identifying underused spaces to planting days and practical educational workshops.

Together, let’s return the wild spaces to the heart of our communities

  • A lush garden bed with various flowers and plants, bordered by a wooden edging, in a backyard with a grassy lawn and large trees in the background.

    Would you like a Biodiversity Haven for your community?

    Register here if you would like a Biodiversity Haven in your local area.

    Register
  • A smiling older man with gray hair and a beard holding a potted plant outdoors in a wooded area.

    Support our work through sponsorship

    Help us create Biodiversity Havens with a tailored approach that works for your business.

    Arrange a call
  • Group of eight people standing outdoors on disturbed soil, holding shovels and wearing gloves and high-visibility vests, with bare trees and a grassy area in the background.

    Volunteer with Living Woodlands

    We regularly organise meitheal planting days throughout the planting season and would love to work with you!

    Sign Up
Two men standing outdoors in a wooded area during daytime, one with red hair and a blue sweater, the other with dark hair and beard wearing a dark jacket and holding a stick.

An award winning non-profit social enterprise

Living Woodlands was founded by brothers Colm and John Galvin in 2022. We are proud to work alongside communities across Ireland to restore native biodiversity. Every project begins with the soil under our feet — because every square metre of healthy soil is a foundation for thriving ecosystems and healthier people.

With recognition for our impact and a growing network of partners, we are working toward a vision of an interconnected network of Biodiversity Havens all across Ireland.

As seen on RTE 1

Black and white logo with the text 'People + Planet First' inside a circle at the top and 'Verified Social Enterprise' below.
Logo of the SSLH organization with stylized water droplets and the text 'SSLH' in blue.
Text reads 'RETHINK IRELAND' on a dark blue background.

What our Partners Say:

“Thank you Living Woodlands, we can’t express enough how wonderful the Biodiversity Haven project has been for our school. It’s like a little slice of nature magic right in the heart of our urban surroundings.”
— Vivienne Hogan, Principal, Thomond Community College, Limerick City
“Engaging the services of Colm and John from Living Woodlands proved to be an inspired decision as, from start to completion of the project, they were a joy to work with.”
— John Leamy, General Manager, Ballyneety Golf Club

Transforming underused and neglected spaces into beautiful havens for nature

Construction site with a mini excavator, a flatbed truck, and workers working on soil, with houses and a stone wall in the background.

January 2022

A backyard garden with two wooden benches, greenery and bushes in the background, a small red wheelbarrow with flowers on it, and a partly cloudy sky.

August 2025

Biodiversity Haven at Tait House Community Enterprise, Southill, Limerick City

People planting and working on a farm with rows of small plants, surrounded by leafless trees and a hillside, during late afternoon with the sun low in the sky.

Every square metre of restored soil matters. Together, we can build a healthier, more biodiverse Ireland.