Rewilding
Dunsany Estate
Learn more about what rewilding truly means, why it’s vital for the planet, how we’re bringing it to life at Dunsany – and how your business can be part of something transformative.
Restoring Balance, Biodiversity, and Ecological Integrity
Dunsany Estate is home to Ireland’s largest rewilding project. Across 750 acres, we’re re-establishing natural processes, restoring native habitats, and allowing wildlife to return – not by managing nature, but by stepping back and giving it space to thrive.
Our rewilding project is a long-term, science-driven commitment to environmental restoration.
What is
Rewilding?
Rewilding is the process of allowing degraded ecosystems to recover, primarily by removing human pressures and reintroducing native species.
The goal is to restore autonomous ecological function – where food webs, soil cycles, and natural succession occur without intervention.
At Dunsany, this means:
Ending artificial drainage and intensive land use
Allowing forests, grasslands, and wetlands to regenerate
Reintroducing native flora and fauna
Monitoring biodiversity and ecological change through rigorous, evidence-based methods
This approach draws on decades of ecological research and aligns with recommendations from leading institutions including the IUCN and European Rewilding Network.
Click & Scroll for More ^
Why Rewilding Matters
WHy 01
Biodiversity Recovery
Modern agriculture and development have led to an unprecedented loss of species across Europe. Rewilding addresses this directly by creating self-sustaining habitats where biodiversity is not just protected, but enabled to expand.
Research (e.g., Nature Communications, 2020) shows that reintroducing trophic species like large herbivores leads to a cascade of ecological benefits, from increased pollinator abundance to enhanced soil fertility.
Why 02
Natural Carbon Sequestration
Forests, peatlands, and natural grasslands are highly effective carbon sinks. When allowed to regenerate, these ecosystems lock carbon into biomass and soil.
Research from the IUCN and UNEP supports rewilding as a critical climate strategy alongside renewable energy and industrial reform.
Why 03
Restoring Ecosystem Services
Clean water, fertile soil, air purification, and natural flood defense are all direct results of functioning ecosystems.
Rewilding helps restore these services at scale – not through any artificial infrastructure, but through ecological balance.
What We’re Doing at Dunsany
We’ve ceased all forms of chemical application, drainage, and commercial forestry. Native vegetation is allowed to return naturally, guided by the topography, hydrology, and historical records of the land’s original biodiversity.
We’re actively reintroducing native species that were lost due to agricultural intensification.
This includes tree species such as oak, birch, hazel, and rowan – as well as key fauna like red and fallow deer.
These species play critical roles in shaping and maintaining ecological structure.
We value providing tangible, measurable impacts in rewilding Dunsany Estate.
We employ rigorous ecological monitoring tools, including:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity indexing
Drone-based vegetation and canopy analysis
Soil microbiome sampling
Carbon flux measurement
This ensures transparency, accountability, and ongoing refinement of our methods based on real-world outcomes.
The Role of
Corporate Partners
Rewilding at Dunsany Estate isn’t just about restoring nature – it’s about redefining how businesses engage with sustainability.
Through our Nature Shares programme, companies can take direct climate action by sponsoring dedicated 3×3 metre plots of land, each contributing to verified, measurable ecological outcomes.
Sponsorship supports:
Increased biodiversity per hectare through the return of native species and natural habitats
Credible ESG reporting with transparent, trackable environmental impact data
Each sponsor receives real-time data with scientific backed metrics, progress updates, and visual insights – offering not just accountability, but a story of regeneration their teams, stakeholders, and customers can be proud of.
Join a growing network of purpose-driven companies leaving a legacy through nature-positive investment.
Click & Scroll for More ^
