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Wilderland has two websites, one always-on, higher resolution website that is heavier to run, and one experimental, situated site, that is solar powered, and in the Nephin Park
The solar site might not always be on or available, it also has other quirks, and will be slower. Adjust your expectactions for this Permacomputing + Small Web alternative.
Wilderland is planting community orchards of heritage apple trees with the communities and towns surrounding Wild Nephin National Park.
Each orchard is planted on a shared, public green site with a local community, in collaboration with schools, biodiversity and growing groups, and is supported by workshops on planting and pruning, biodiversity and orchard care going forward.
These small community orchards will provide not only the environmental, health & aesthetic benefits of trees, but in time will also create a rich environment that acts a haven for wildlife and supports greater biodiversity.
The goal is that these orchards will encourage neighbours to come together to care for these trees and share in the future harvests, and that along with mixed-use community food-growing schemes, they will foster an inclusive local growing network and support community food-sharing and social events.
We’re connecting with Irish Seed Savers to source heritage Irish trees that have been grown here and adapted to wetter and colder climates (we’re in Mayo after all). We’re using wool from waste fleeces to protect the base of each tree and suppress competing weeds, and planting comfrey as companion plant to help nourish the trees.
You can find all our community orchard locations on the Wilderland project map.
with:
As part of this project, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, one of Wilderland’s partner organisations, has planted an orchard solely for biodiversity at their Ballycroy Visitor Centre. The apple trees here are interplanted with other native trees and shrubs, within a perimeter of gorse as a windbreak. The aim is that the apple blossom will act as an additional food source for pollinators, with the apples intended for birds and other animals.
You can access this orchard for wildlife from the sensory trail at Ballycroy visitor centre.