Ireland’s mountains need urgent help to prevent further degradation
Ella McSweeney: Croagh Patrick has long suffered from being one of Mayo’s most valuable natural resources
Killing rhododendrons is not pretty work but is necessary to restore nature
Left alone, this invasive species will form dense dark thickets and outcompete native trees such as oak and hazel
The Dodder could become one of the finest city rivers in Europe, showing what’s possible when we clean up our act
Ella McSweeney: Thanks to the efforts of locals, nature is starting to flourish again in a river that has been blighted and abused for decades
When it comes to nature restoration plans, EU states will look to the Burren Programme. We should do the same
Ella McSweeney: We don’t have time to fail. The Government should use our money to fund what works, then step out of the way
The curlew’s call is giving way to silence but not everyone is giving up
A €25 million project hopes to secure a better future for breeding waders, including the curlew, which desperately need help
When the extreme heat hits Ireland, we’ll be grateful to the trees
Ella McSweeney: Younger kids, older people, outdoor workers, the socio-economically disadvantaged, pregnant women and the chronically ill are all disproportionately vulnerable to heat stress and mortality
Nature is never without drama and noticing it is an active choice
Noticing the richness of life around us is an active choice
Ireland does not have to choose between food and nature
Ella McSweeney: Farmer Patrick McGurk has found a way forward with a system that produces both
A new marine national park in Kerry? Nobody told the fishermen
Within a few years by working with fishers an actively-managed marine park in Co Kerry could become one of the world’s most spectacular sites
Juvenile jackdaws have stunning Cillian Murphy-esque blue eyes
They can recognise human faces and respond to our expressions. Having a ‘bird brain’ is no bad thing after all
The plight of Irish hedgehogs is a cause for concern. It’s been years since I’ve seen one
Ella McSweeney: Since they’re pretty adept at hiding away in prickly places – think mounds of nettles, brambles or hawthorn – I’m hopeful elusive hedgehogs are still around.
The sheer diversity within Donegal’s native woods reminds us they exist as so much more than just trees
A new book by Seán Ó Gaoithín tells the stories of 28 woods in Co Donegal that are deeply complex spaces full of life
We have a golden opportunity to help get our rivers back - we should take it
A growing band of scientists and river advocates across Europe are removing barriers at a record rate, enabling fish to navigate waterways as before
Milder and shorter winters due to climate warming are forcing some bat species to change their ways
Although bats will roost in all kinds of spaces – from rocks, scree slopes and exposed limestone to holes in old oaks – they tend to favour buildings
Shining new light on sperm whales and the importance of Irish waters to them
Recent contact in Donegal with the largest predator on Earth offers a rare opportunity to add to our understanding of these extraordinary creatures