The Irish Wildlife Trust has been a nature conservation charity and lobbyist in Ireland since 1979. It was renamed from the Irish Wildlife Federation. The head office is based in Glasnevin, in Dublin. One of the founders of the Irish Wildlife Trust was well known Irish naturalist Eamonn de Buitléar
Similar to the UK based Wildlife Trusts the IWT is made up of local branches and volunteers, with branches in Dublin, Laois/Offaly, Galway, Cork, Waterford, Kerry, Longford/Westmeath and Cavan. However, the IWT sees itself as a single nationwide organisation rather than a federation of smaller, independent organisations though some separate conservation groups have become affiliated with the IWT through common interest such as Groundwork (International Volunteer Conservation Work Camps in National Parks), Bat Conservation Ireland (Umbrella Organisation for Bat Groups around Ireland) and Badgerwatch Ireland (Organisation involved in Badger Conservation, Welfare and Awareness). The IWT is a member of the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) and receives core funding from the Department of Communication Climate Action and Environment through the IEN. The IWT is also a member of the European Environmental Bureau and Sustainable Water Network (SWAN).
The IWT has been involved in a number of high profile campaigns since its foundation from salmon poaching to protection of vulnerable habitats and most recently in opposition in the ‘Heritage Bill’ passed in 2017 which contains provisions to extend the legal hedge cutting and scrub burning season to include times when birds are breeding and nesting.
References
- "Lost Distance Gunmen Hunt Mayo Seal Pelts for Money". Western Journal. 29 Feb 1980.
- Viney, Michael (1 June 1996). "Vive la diversity". Irish Times. The Irish Times.