Skip to main content

Seed Saving: The Art and Science of Harvesting Hope

Seed Saving

I was driving through the rugged mountains of Connemara with my best friend visiting from Canada seed saving was the furthest thing from my mind. That was until I got an unexpected call from Dr. Amanda Greer. She asked me if I wanted to cancel my day off and try and go on a seed saving mission to gather a few rare plants that would be demolished in a construction site. Having delivered Seed Saving training to volunteers across the country, I couldn’t have been happier to put my skills to good use.

Seed Saving – Not all heroes wear capes

Anne Murray, the Biodiversity Officer for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council needed someone to help collect, clean and store the seeds of Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acer) and Pale Flax (Linum bienne). These are rare plants for the area and it was very important to the biodiversity that seed saving happened in order to sow them in a nearby location. 

A few days later I drove down and met with Anne so that she could show me around the site before she left for another one of her countless important tasks. I was thrilled when we spotted Blue Fleabane! I gathered up all the seeds into a paper bag and continued on my search for Pale Flax. I spent the morning and afternoon looking for it but to no avail. I was ready to give up hope, thinking that since they flower earlier than Blue Fleabane, they might have already seeded and fallen over. Luckily I spotted some as I went to check one last area a little further away. There was tons of it there so I spent a good couple of hours collecting as much as daylight would allow.

I was also happy to notice that there were also many areas flagged around orchids which Anne told me was for the translocation of the soil to the new site. This allows the precious soil and the seedbank within to be conserved.

Then came the task of drying the seeds properly in order to clean them after. I laid all the seeds out on big sheets of cardboard and after a couple days they were ready to clean. It had been a while since I had done seed saving on a bit of a bigger scale and I remembered what an intimate and fulfilling endeavour it is. Sorting and cleaning the chaff from the seeds took a bit of time but it was a rewarding experience.

Once I had the seeds cleaned, I sent them off to Anne Murray so that she would store them until the time comes to sow them in their new home.

Anne Murray and  Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have done amazing work for biodiversity in the area. From saving its precious Local Soil, Local Seed project, to Invasive Species, Hedgerows, Red Squirrel projects and more!

As part of the Local Soil, Local Seed project, I delivered Seed Saving courses. These have been one of the most fun courses I’ve delivered and one of the most successful in terms of engagement.

Seed saving is something anybody can enjoy!

It is believed that seed saving was first done roughly 30,000 years ago. This practice is the reason why we have the fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants you see all around you. However, we have now come to a point in our history where we need to utilise the power of seed saving for the conservation of our diminishing native species.

Seed saving is an age-old tradition of resilience that is a great way to get engaged with nature and the community. It is a rather simple concept that is exactly what it says on tin: saving seeds in order to grow them in the future. This fun and empowering exercise is hugely important for protecting biodiversity because when you save local seeds, you are saving your local biodiversity. 

I would highly recommend everybody to give seed saving a try. Take life into your own hands and allow both nature and people to reap the rewards of what you sow.

Seed Saving

Other blog posts that you might enjoy include The Inspiring History of TidyTowns and Biodiversity and What Biodiversity Funding is Available for your Projects?

Wildacres Crowned Winner – All Ireland Sustainability Awards 2023

all ireland sustainability awards winner wildacres

Celebrating Sustainability: An Unforgettable Night at the Inaugural All Ireland Sustainability Awards

As a company invested in cultivating and promoting sustainability, we were thrilled to be a part of the inaugural All Ireland Sustainability Awards, sponsoring the “Biodiversity Initiative of the Year” category. This aligns seamlessly with our ethos of encouraging, endorsing, designing and implementing initiatives that pave the way toward a more sustainable and biodiverse world.

The sheer volume and quality of entries across all categories were overwhelmingly impressive, showcasing a collective commitment to sustainability across industries in Ireland. This did not only showcase businesses’ innovative practices and projects but also recognised and celebrated their noteworthy contributions towards creating a more sustainable future.

Uniting for a Cause

The sustainability awards gala event at the Europa Hotel was a great night of celebrations. Kicking off with the exhilarating rhythms of samba drummers, the atmosphere was great. The eloquent Danielle McCormick welcomed and ushered in an evening of celebration and a collective vow for a sustainable future with noteworthy speeches from Ross Moffett from Everun and Dakota Reid from RSPB NI, who emphasized the urgency of escalating our actions against climate change.

Culinary and Creative Highlights

The night wasn’t merely a sustainability awards ceremony it was full of entertainment and exceptional food. Preparing a superb meal for 400 guests with locally sourced ingredients was a testament to hospitality sector. Furthermore, artist Ruthie Stewart shared insights into the creation of the beautiful trophies, reflecting a blend of artistry and environmental consideration. We were delighted to have shared the evening with Paula Smyth from LANTRA who we work closely with accrediting our Climate Action 101 Courses. Emma- louise Kells joined us from Business in the Community NI. A number of Emma-louise’s colleagues are currently participating in Climate Action 101 training with Danske Bank. Carolyn Boyd of Tourism Northern Ireland and Ciaran Higgins of Belfast City Council also joined us at our table. Finally Canice & Derbhela Hamill from the European E- Learning Institute were also our guests. It was a wonderful way to network with these people and treat them to a great night full of wonderful initiatives.

Celebrating Biodiversity and Sustainability

The “Biodiversity Initiative of the Year” saw stiff competition with finalists Breedon, Gas Networks Ireland, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, The Green Graveyard Company, and Wildacres. Our own Amanda had the honour of presenting Wildacres with the win, who, remarkably, also clinched the Overall Winner of the Year 2023, highlighting their significant contribution towards biodiversity and sustainability. Brian and his wife Gilly run the inspiration Wildacres Nature Reserve in Wicklow. The land, generously gifted back to nature, underwent a restoration of its natural habitats, fostering biodiversity and establishing an accessible and sustainable wildlife sanctuary and visitor haven. The Wildacres project was a result of a confluence of skills, shared ideas, and a unified vision dedicated to developing an Environmental Social Enterprise. The subsequent years have witnessed not just the blossoming of flora and fauna but the fruition of unwavering dedication to sustainability and environmental conservation.

Award Winning Clients

We were also thrilled to see clients both past and present pick up awards on the night. The ESB won in the Net Zero Initiative of the Year and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council & SSE Airtricity Energy Services won Energy Initiative / Project of the Year.

The Importance and Impact of Awards and Sponsorship

Participating in and sponsoring awards like the All Ireland Sustainability Awards is pivotal for businesses. It’s not merely recognition but a facilitation of a platform where organizations can showcase their sustainability efforts, inspire others, and forge connections with like-minded entities. Sponsoring such events aids in demonstrating a brand’s commitment to societal and environmental well-being, enhancing reputation and aligning with value-driven customers.

As we reflect upon the night, it was an embodiment of the spirit of togetherness and an unyielding commitment to sustainability. Let us carry forward this spirit in all our future endeavours, scaling and pacing our actions towards a sustainable and biodiverse future.

Please enjoy our gallery of photos featured some of our guests.

Community Forum – Going For Growth

Going for Growth

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Change Makers and the Going for Growth Community

Being part of the Going for Growth Community has been a pivotal chapter in my journey as a Female Founder and CEO. This group of women has not just been a network but a vital support system, providing a scaffold of encouragement, wisdom, and true empathy.

The Community embraces a selection of development activities, designed with thoughtful precision to nurture each member and their businesses. After completing a cycle, participants can apply to engage in ‘Continuing the Momentum’ round tables, dive into topic-focused workshops, and receive warm invitations to seminal events such as the annual Community Forum.

October 2023 kicked off at a memorable event, where over 120 like-minded individuals congregated, the atmosphere was charged with collective ambition and shared understanding. The solitude that often accompanies leadership seemed less isolating and replaced by the genuine support and shared wisdom that has characterized the Forum Events over the years.

Una O’Hagan beautifully orchestrated the last session, encapsulating the key moments and contributions over the two-day programme. A spotlight was shone on Enterprise Ireland Leo Clancy’s insightful contributions, KPMG’s invaluable advice, and our collective endeavours to navigate the ESG challenges as team leaders.

However, the moment that truly touched the heartstrings of all present was the deserved accolade to the phenomenal Paula Fitzsimons. Paula identified a gender ambition gap among entrepreneurs and crafted a suite of initiatives to foster and champion ambitious female entrepreneurs. Her remarkable achievements have dramatically shifted the scales. In 2008, data showed that for every 7.5 male entrepreneurs aspiring to establish a sizable company, there was only 1 female counterpart. Today, thanks to trailblazers like Paula and supportive governmental policies, that ratio has improved to 2.5:1 – and the journey toward an equal 1:1 ratio is in full swing.

A heartfelt thanks to all the Lead Entrepreneurs, whose voluntary guidance continues to be a wellspring of empowerment in my journey, and to Paula’s diligent team – Orla Mooney and particularly Clodagh Slater, who navigated unexpected challenges with unruffled professionalism on Day 1.

Navigating the path of an entrepreneur can be lonely. Yet, within the Going for Growth Community, it becomes a collective journey of Change Makers – where shared experiences, wisdom, and steadfast support illuminate the path toward sustainable growth and success.