I was delighted to be invited to share my ecoliteracy, Earth Charter advisory and creative mentoring work in the Irish Community Wetland Forum’s new Guide for Wetland Communities Engaging in Creative Projects (2026).
In the guide, I could only briefly summarise my eco-social-creative practice and ecoliteracy, including Earth Charter facilitation and peatland artist’s mentoring role, that evolved from my role as a long-time Committee member and ecoliteracy advisor for the Carlow Drummin Bog, especially the Creative Drummin programme since 2017 (working with the wonderful Co. Carlow community artist Jules Michaels, which built on my ongoing ecological (eco-social) creative practice from my Hollywood Forest Story work from 2008).
From my Creative Drummin work, I also summarised the many rich insights I gained in offering ecoliteracy and Earth Charter learning to the Carlow-Arts Office-led, Arts Council ‘Invitation to Collaborate’, 2-year, 3-County Carlow, Kildare, Meath, Gnáthoga Nádúrtha | Natural Habitats programme (2022-24), to creative practitioners and with facilitator and eco-poet, Grace Wells, to Local Authority Staff. (In 2026, myself and Grace continue to offer Haumea Ecoversity Ecoliteracy, Earth Charter awareness CPD to Local Athorities, most recently, Wexford, Roscommon and Kilkenny).
To see all the other contributions from creative practitioners across the island of Ireland is stunning. It also means that this is an important new eco-social creative practice guide for those interested in creative-led, habitat restoration, regeneration and social resilience and the emergent development of eco-social, ecological creative practice in Ireland.
Launching the guide, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said:
“I am delighted to launch ‘A Guide for Wetland Communities Engaging in Creative Projects’. We know that wetlands are some of the most valuable ecosystems for biodiversity. For those who appreciate the wonders of nature, this guide will create connections and collaboration with communities and artists, helping to bring the beauty, fragility and significance of wetlands to life. I’d like to congratulate the Community Wetlands Forum and all involved in the creation of this important resource.”
‘Following the Community Wetlands Forum launch at IMMA, the Community Wetlands Forum shared: “Now, a brand-new Guide produced by the ‘Community Wetlands Forum’ (CWF) is aiming to provide similar inspiration to local communities across Ireland, in a bid to enthuse people about our native Wetlands and work towards their protection, preservation and promotion.
‘Community Wetlands Forum’ was established to promote our wetlands and peatlands, some 13,000 of which are dotted throughout Ireland, through community collaboration and integration, and through the provision of a platform for local people to get involved in the many conservation projects in their areas.
The compilation of the ‘Guide for Wetland Communities Engaging in Creative Projects’ is a seen as a major step forward in bringing communities together in shared purpose that has important ecological, societal and cultural benefits.
‘The work of nineteen artists and creatives, all whose work centres on Ireland’s rich necklace of wetlands, features in the Guide, the first of its kind.
Some of Ireland’s most important wildlife are to be found in our Wetlands including the iconic Curlew, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Brent Geese, Wigeon, Teal and Merlin.
Mary Mulvey, Volunteer Chair ‘Community Wetland Forum’ says.
”We hope that this publication will be a resource for all who promote the wise use of Wetlands on the island of Ireland, and that Communities will draw upon Creative processes to engage with, and educate, a wider audience. The role communities play in the protection of wetlands is often overlooked and we champion quality engagement and respect in all aspects of decision-making regarding our Wetlands. Communities, Artists and Creatives, who understand and respect each other can celebrate the richness of our wetlands and the work of those who protect and conserve them in ways that are respectful of local identities.”
“Peatlands are emotionally and politically charged terrains—sites of climate transition, contested histories, livelihoods, restoration and loss. They are fragile ecosystems as well as living places and work in these environments must consider environmental impact, biodiversity and the cultural significance of the land. Creative projects can help make sense of these complexities, but without care they can also risk oversimplifying or misrepresenting them.
“This Guide supports communities—particularly those connected to peatland and wetland landscapes— to collaborate with artists and other creative practitioners, to develop work that is thoughtful, nuanced, and grounded in local realities”.
“It offers guiding principles, practical checklists and examples to help communities explore creative approaches to conservation, and to shape projects that are inclusive, reciprocal, and which reflect the richness of local identity and the importance of ecological care”.
“‘Those of us who have a deep grá for our wetlands know just how restorative a day walking in this unique natural habitat is. We need each other and we need communities to understand that we need them. Our rich and bountiful wetlands have been here for millennia and with the help of our local wetlands communities they will be here for many more”.
Explore the Guide below:
See more about or join Ireland’s inspiring Community Wetlands Forum here https://communitywetlandsforum.ie/
-Being part of the Carlow Drummin Bog Project, we have been supported by the vibrant and generous Community Wetland Forum from the start. Highly recommend any group or inspiring peatland, wetland-inspired creative joining, and there is a very active WhatsApp group connecting news and activities from across the island of Ireland.
Acknowledgements: My grateful thanks to the Drummin Bog Project Committee, Gnathoga Nadurtha | Natural Habitats creative colleagues, Dr Anita McKeown, Jules Michael, Monica de Bath, Dr Kate Flood and Aileen Nolan and Sinead Dowling of the Co Carlow Arts Office, and the Arts Council for supporting my eco-creative practice, and ecoliteracy and Earth Charter facilitation work for Haumea Ecoversity.
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