European Parliament negotiators reached a consensus with EU member state governments late on Thursday night to finalise the proposal on restoring Europe's ecosystems, after months of wrangling over the text

A potted sapling, gathered, sown, and nurtured by your own hand, could mark a special birthday, a new baby, an anniversary, a new home — or maybe you don't need any excuse at all

Better planning for how we are going to adapt to climate change is gaining urgency

Ireland is going to get a new National Park — but are we properly looking after the ones we already have, asks ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Capacity building and reform will be needed across the regulatory system in licencing bodies, in the planning system, local authorities, and courts where significant backlogs have emerged.

The EU says alternative proteins in human diets can improve nutrition, and ease environmental pressure caused by worldwide breeding of livestock for protein

Little pockets of biodiversity need to be nurtured and expanded — and Hare's Corner can help farmers and landowners with a lot of the practical stuff too

In 2021 a ‘new’ bee species arrived in Ireland, the ‘ivy bee’. This bee was first spotted in Wexford... perhaps warming temperatures have facilitated the expansion of its range. Have you seen it yet?

Ecologist Pádraic Fogarty looks at how the reintroduction of brown bears to France has worked out so far

The notion that humans are separate from, and superior to, the natural world is at the core of the broken connections characterising modern times

Environmental campaigners launch petition to speed up delayed marine protection bill

Whilst our official forestry programme hangs in the balance, our wild native woodlands are expanding quickly, writes Ray Ó Foghlú

Volunteers wanted to grow rare pollinator-friendly plants in their homes or gardens

For anyone thinking of making a long meadow in part of their land, now is a good time to collect wildflower seeds, especially with all this good weather — and here's a link to a how-to guide with loads of info 

The main difference between 'Mustela erminea hibernica' and their British and continental cousins is that Irish stoats keep their rich brown colouring throughout the year, while British and European stoats turn white in winter

What happens when nature comes up against the stubborn power of vested interests, asks ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Irish Doctors for the Environment called on the Government to declare a public health emergency in the midst of extreme climate and biodiversity change in recent months

ReWild Wicklow volunteers have assisted with tree planting, peatland restoration, vegetation management, seed sowing, erecting deer fencing, nest box building, litter cleanups, and setting up camera traps

Our most commonly planted timber crop is sitka spruce — these are dark, dead worlds where life is driven out for maximum productivity and profit

There are lots of bat walks and talks taking place this month... links below

Marine protection bill due to be published in May will now not be publish until after Dáil recess in autumn

There are alternatives to 'sheep wrecked' landscapes, writes ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Having seen the abundance and diversity of the entire coastline of Ireland this summer I am more determined than ever that my grandchildren too should have this privilege in years to come

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

One reader champions the Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity loss, while others consider issues including Irish sovereignty, Russia's war on Ukraine, and recent attacks on libraries

This disease could have devastating consequences for otters and other river creatures here

Some of the most important clauses and ambitions for nature contained within the Nature Restoration Law are now gone

A combined, community-wide approach at Lough Carra will hopefully show how collaborative conservation actions can be successful

One of the most crucial votes in the history of the European Parliament takes place this week, with the future of nature and biodiversity at stake on the continent, writes Pádraig Hoare, Environment Correspondent

For every ton of biochar produced, roughly three tons of carbon dioxide are sequestered

Some 1.4 million people die yearly in Europe due to environmental factors

Despite the 44-44 deadlock in the environment committee, it will go to a full vote of the 705 MEPs in the week beginning July 10

Research finds tropical mammals suffer impact of deforestation even if they live in protected areas

The three-day Ardnaculla Summer School, hosted by Hometree in County Clare, takes place from July 7-9

Irish Examiner garden columnist Peter Dowdall shares his secrets to creating a haven for all creatures great and small 

Our Living Islands policy document highlights the opportunities and challenges facing the inhabitants of the 30 islands off our coasts

Who you gonna call? Well, if the problem is non-native weeds and plants and you want to ‘bust’ them in a non-chemical, environmentally conscious way then you’ve gotta call in the goats.

The EPP, of which Fine Gael is a member, continues to vote against throwing a lifeline to beleaguered ecosystems

Environment committee MEPs split down the middle on Nature Restoration Law vote on Friday

A climate and a nature restoration fund "will restore nature, stimulate rural and coastal economies, and provide much-needed public goods such as warmer homes, renewable energy infrastructure, and better public transport," the Environmental Pillar said.

That so many people are enthusiastic about restoring nature is grounds for hope. We must not let the scaremongering of a minority derail this democratic process

The following is a political statement issued this week by the Rural Independent Group of TDs in the Dáil. The headline went: Government Secret Plot to Massacre Our Precious Cows.

Nature Restoration Law

Rewetting ostensibly means bringing back a natural water flow and saturating peatland in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions