Eco Group of the Year supported by Sustainable Travel Ireland: Outsider Awards 2023

“If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” At a time when environmental action has never been so important, we asked you, our readers to nominate some of the best Eco Groups of 2023. You certainly did not disappoint! We were bowled over by both the quality and quantity of the stories you sent us. So sit down, make yourself comfortable and read the inspirational stories of these extraordinary groups of people who are making a huge difference to the Irish outdoors and are now officially on the long list of nominees for the #OutsiderAwards.

If you’re a nominee, consider yourself cordially invited to our annual awards ceremony on the evening of Wednesday 21 February 2024 in the Sugar Club, Dublin. We are thrilled skinny to announce that our fab sponsors are on board to help us celebrate all that is great and good about the Irish adventure scene, so it’s guaranteed to be a good party.

Our hugely generous title sponsor for the Outsider Awards 2023 is Sport Ireland Outdoors, our other supporting sponsors are Craghoppers, Leave No Trace, Salewa, Vagabond Tours, Sustainable Travel Ireland and Nuasan.

For everyone else, a limited number of tickets are on sale through the link below. Subscribe to our email newsletter on our homepage to hear more about the Outsider Awards 2023.

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This award recognises that environmental efforts taken by the community can take on any form that has improved its region, including tidy towns efforts, area clean-ups, promotion of environmental messaging, adoption of environmental practices etc. Ireland’s outdoors offers beautiful landscapes and numerous opportunities to enjoy them.

Tramore Eco Group, Waterford

Tramore Eco Group is a voluntary environmental protection group who are devoted to the conservation and protection of Tramore’s ecological environment and wildlife habitats.

The group is extremely ambitious, engaging in over 20 activities, including beach cleans, planting, bird watching, plant swaps, a biodiversity action plan and dune regeneration. In addition to this, the group has worked with the local council to create plastic bottle recycling bins on the promenade and have engaged over 100 local businesses who have committed to providing water bottle refills free of charge to the general public.

The group has aspirations that Tramore will become the first ‘green’ seaside town in Ireland and one of a number of initiatives undertaken, in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council, has been to extensively expand the biodiversity of the habitats in Tramore’s back strand.

Reforest Nation

Dedicated to the restoration of Ireland’s native woodlands, Reforest Nation is committed to revitalising the natural balance, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating carbon emissions.

Utilising only certified, indigenous trees, its projects encompass a diverse array of up to 20 distinct species. In their dedication to land stewardship, they ensure that every tree is planted by hand, eliminating the need for heavy machinery and ensuring the optimal health of the soil and surrounding ecosystem.

By this April, they will have reached the milestone of planting our 1 millionth tree! This is a milestone that no other Irish tree-planting initiative has achieved, just 3-years after the foundation of Reforest Nation. 100,000 of these trees are in Ireland and 900,000 in Madagascar. Their work in Madagascar is particularly significant as they not only contribute to reforestation but also play a vital role in empowering local communities, especially women, through employment in tree planting, helping to raise many from poverty and fostering a sustainable relationship with the environment within these communities.

Customers can buy one tree, a daily tree, a weekly tree or a monthly tree, or buy a tree for somebody else as a gift. Every purchase comes with a beautifully commissioned digitised artwork and carbon-free personalised digital certificate designed by the masterful Antoinette Monet to commemorate your trees’ planting.

Wildacres Nature Reserve

Wildacres is a nature reserve, honey farm and biodiversity education centre set on 17.5 acres, bordered by the beautiful Redcross River, close to Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow. This environmental social enterprise is dedicated to biodiversity restoration, protection, monitoring, and education.

Up until 2017, when the initiative started, the land was used for grazing sheep and was home to little wildlife. Since then the organisation has planted over 10,000 native Irish trees, 2km of native Irish hedgerow, created nine wildlife ponds, a four-acre wildflower meadow, an apiary of beehives, a traditional orchard, a native Irish tree nursery, a showcase pollinator bed, 1km of reinstated river riparian zone and erected numerous bat, bird and owl nest boxes.

In an effort to inspire and help others to make a positive difference for the environment, the group also hosts a range of engaging and entertaining nature-based tours and interactive workshops.

Killarney Coffee Cup Project

In the summer of 2023, Killarney became the first town in Ireland, and one of only a handful worldwide, to ban the use of single use coffee cups.

The County Kerry town went through about 23,000 cups a week – more than a million a year – adding up to 18.5 tonnes of waste. But not anymore. If you want a takeaway coffee from a cafe or hotel you must bring your own cup or pay a €2 deposit for a reusable cup which can be returned to various locations across Ireland, including Dublin airport.

More than 50 businesses have signed up to the initiative with other Irish towns keeping a close eye on the success of the venture who want to follow in Killarney’s footsteps.

Hometree

Hometree began with humble roots back in 2014 as a small community garden project. It has since grown from a small voluntary charity to a staffed charity with seven employees who are responsible for executing initiatives under three main pillars; education, afforestation and conservation. The charity has planted over 150,000 pioneer trees – like Scots pine, willow and alder. Hundreds of people have contributed time and resources to the vision of incorporating more trees into the Irish landscape, bringing all the benefits that woodlands create.

In a bid to encourage more people to think about the environment in which we are living, Hometree also hosts regular education days which offer people the chance to roll up their sleeves as they take a walk in the woods or along hedgerows to collect native tree seeds such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and oak, gather willow and holly cuttings, explore Hometree’s poly-tunnels and germinate seeds, pot seedlings, prep beds for seeds and seedlings, clear away growth and mulch around saplings planted in their permanent habitat and build and maintain leaky dams and bridges.

ReWild Wicklow

ReWild Wicklow is dedicated to the ecological restoration and conservation of the picturesque Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. Fuelled by a passion for biodiversity and sustainable land management, ReWild Wicklow aims to revive the natural balance of the region by reintroducing native species, restoring habitats, and implementing progressive conservation practices. This project not only seeks to protect the unique flora and fauna of Wicklow but also aims to create a harmonious environment where wildlife can thrive.

ReWild Wicklow goes beyond traditional conservation efforts, emphasising community engagement and education to raise awareness about the importance of preserving local ecosystems. By partnering with local communities, governmental bodies, and environmental organizations, the initiative strives to build a collective commitment to safeguarding Wicklow’s natural heritage. Through rewilding, this project envisions a future where the hills and valleys of Wicklow are once again teeming with life, providing a resilient and vibrant ecosystem for generations to come.

Maharees Conservation Group

The Maharees Conservation Group (MCA) continues to fight to protect the sand dunes, which in turn protect the community, thanks in no small part to a host of young volunteers.

This Kerry-based group formed in 2016 following several stormy winters, after which it was clear the dunes were the only thing protecting the community from the wrath of the ocean.

Martha Farrell is one of the founding members, an inspirational woman who manages the volunteers, including young Timmy Jones and Dara O’Connor, who come every weekend to help.

Dara says: “The best thing about helping with the MCA is that it’s fun working with loads of people and being part of a team.” Timmy also thinks it’s fun and would encourage other children to get involved. “It’s a good idea and it protects our sand dunes from washing away, which in turn makes it safe for everyone to keep living in Maharees,” says Timmy.

“Maharees Conservation Association loves to see young people get involved in conservation projects,” says Martha. “Whether they’re local children or visiting.”

“The main reason we started [this group] was to protect Maharees for all of those who love the place. And when we have young people and their families out on conservation work events, beach cleans or wildlife walks and talks, we know they’re connecting with Maharees on a deeper level. It makes them more protective and mindful of their impacts. We’re so proud of Timmy, Dara and a host of other children who have always helped out – they inspire us to keep going!”