Wicklow County Council is pleased to mark the successful completion of the first year of the ReFarm Pilot Project in County Wicklow. Founded by Anke Heydenreich and Brendan Dunford, ReFarm is a national initiative supporting farmers in delivering income-generating biodiversity and ecosystem-services actions on their land. The project enables landowners to adopt nature-positive measures that improve water quality, restore habitats and enhance resilience in the farmed landscape. ReFarm works in partnership with Burrenbeo Trust and Trinity College Dublin.

The Wicklow ReFarm rollout was delivered through a public–private partnership, supported by Wicklow County Council and a group of private funding partners including John Paul Construction, RWE Renewables, CIE Tours International and the Community Foundation. Twelve farmers across the county participated in this inaugural phase, facilitating the creation of purpose-built wildlife ponds on their land.

In total, the ponds created cover 2.3 acres (9,135 m²), with an average size of 761 m² (median 420 m²). These new wetland features are already providing valuable habitat for invertebrates, amphibians and birds, while contributing to natural flood management and improved water retention. Farmers will continue to receive results-based payments for the next four years, rewarding the ecological performance of each pond, and recognising their contribution towards water and flood management at a landscape scale.

The annual wrap-up event was held at the beautiful Kilranelagh Lodge, where participating farmers were joined by ReFarm staff, Wicklow County Council representatives, the Office of the Taoiseach, and stakeholders from the IFA, Teagasc, ACRES Leinster, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and partner funding institutions.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, said, “Communities are central to delivering the ambitions of our Biodiversity Action Plan, and landowners and land managers play a particularly important role as stewards of Wicklow’s rural landscapes. The ReFarm Pilot demonstrates the positive impact that practical, local action can have. I want to thank the participating farmers for contributing to a healthier, more resilient environment for all.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, added, “A strong ecological network, creating a connected mosaic of good-quality habitats and landscape features, is fundamental to our approach to biodiversity protection in Wicklow. The wildlife ponds created through the ReFarm Pilot enhance the functionality of that network and support healthier ecosystems across farmed land. This is an excellent example of collaborative action that delivers for nature, climate and communities.”

With continued support from the Heritage Council and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, Wicklow County Council hopes the project will continue to expand in the coming years.

Landowners interested in participating in future phases of the ReFarm initiative are encouraged to contact the Biodiversity Officer at biodiversity@wicklowcoco.ie.

Images:

Photo 1 - Refarm Wicklow Paticipants walking back from a pond inspection at Kilranelagh Lodge. Photo Mick Kelly

Photo 2 - Participants in the Wicklow roll-out of Refarm in 2025. Photo Mick Kelly

Photo 3 - Paul Carberry, who hosted the event along his his wife Kathleen, explains his pond construction process to the group. Photo Mick Kelly

Photo 4 - Stakeholders listen to Refarm founders as their work is showcased. Photo Mick Kelly

Photo 5 - Participants in the Wicklow roll-out of the Refarm Project. Photo Mick Kelly