Description

Wild Seed Saving for Biodiversity – Ireland’s Indigenous Wild Plants – Sunday Oct 9th – 10am – 4:30pm

Help to protect the age old relationship that exists between Ireland’s indigenous wild plants and Ireland’s pollinator species – their decline and regeneration are inextricably linked. A practical workshop introducing the participants to the joy of saving seeds from local wild plants, helping to support the regeneration of our precious indigenous flora species, providing suitable floral resources for wild pollinator species and helping to protect Ireland’s indigenous genetic diversity. The workshop will be based on recommended best practice for saving seeds from the wild. We will look at the Flora Protection Order, 2015 and the conservation status of wild plants.

The participants will be introduced to a simple wild seed saving protocol that protects both the plants and their habitats. We will explore why it is important to save local indigenous wild seed for conservation, for community ecology and habitat regeneration projects. We will also explore why we need to stop introducing non- native wildflower seed mixes into wild habitats, ecosystems and private gardens. Practical sessions will include: identification of native wild plants; saving seeds from common wild herbaceous plants; identifying when seeds are ripe for harvesting; best practice for collecting, processing, storing and sowing seed; and a basic seed saving toolkit.

Material cost: €3

Bookings & Information

Our Big workshop weekend offers a range of full-day courses to choose from. You can take a single course or two courses over the weekend. Our courses always get positive feedback from participants and you will benefit from on hand expert tutors with years of experience in their field. The weekend format also offers you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and to spend some time in our gardens, orchards and woodlands in beautiful East Clare.

You can book courses online or you can telephone us on 061 921866 or 921856.

  • Workshop prices: €80 per course.
  • 10% discount for supporters.
  • Workshops suitable for adults only children under 18 years are not permitted to attend.
  • Cafe serving lunch & refreshments.

The Seed Savers Cafe will be open on each course day for lunch, serving soup, tea and coffee, and homemade cakes. The Cafe is vegetarian and uses organic ingredients from the gardens and orchards whenever possible.