Community Voices Sought at Omeath Nature Restoration Event

Local communities are being invited to help shape Ireland's 25-year Nature Restoration Plan at an event taking place in Omeath next month.

With the new EU Nature Restoration Law setting an ambitious target to restore at least 20% of the country's land and sea areas by 2030, ACT and Hometree are hosting Community Conversations across Ireland to ensure the plan works for both people and nature. The organisations are bringing discussions, workshops, and walks to communities in all provinces throughout September and October, giving people a chance to share their stories, ideas and lived experiences.

On Saturday, October 11th, Omeath will host one of these events, starting with a walk along the Greenway path at 11:30am from the carpark at the Dolmen Centre. Local farmer and environmentalist John Ross Mac Mathúna and marine biologist Lucy Taylor will lead the walk, discussing the various land uses around Carlingford Lough and the Lough itself.

Following the walk, a Community Conversations Workshop will run from 2:30pm to 4:30pm in the Dolmen Centre in Omeath. Everyone is welcome and no sign-up is necessary, with organisers particularly keen to hear from people who may feel excluded from conversations around nature. The event has been organised with support from staff at the Dolmen Centre and Suzie Cahn of the Shifting Tides project.

The conversations are designed to build trust in Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan through open dialogue and shared learning. Insights gathered from events across the country will be presented to the Independent Advisory Committee, ensuring community voices are heard in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

This is an opportunity for communities to be part of something lasting that will shape Ireland's future with nature at its heart. More information is available at www.restorenature.ie