Scoil Aoife Forest
Planting for the future.
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Native Species
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Youth Impacted
Located in the western suburbs of Dublin, Scoil Aoife has a long tradition of environmental education as a member of Ireland’s national Green-Schools programme, helping introduce Nature curricula for young students. The primary school pupils have previously learned how to care for flower beds on school grounds, and will now become forest keepers too.
This pocket forest will have a direct impact on the local environment. Situated near a busy circular road and a large concrete manufacturing plant, the forest will help improve air quality around the school, contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.
Forest Maker
John Kiberd
Forest Partner
Forest Report: 2025
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Forest Age
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Average of 3 Tallest Trees
This forest is almost 7 months old. The first thing of note as I approached the forest was that the school had stopping the mowing the green area in front of the forest. This area was now full of wild flowers and plants. When I got to the forest area a heron took flight as did a small flock of goldfinches. The goldfinches landed again further into the forest area. The forest floor was covered in vetch, silverweed, and other wild plants. Tall docks, gone to seed, were also quite evident.
Despite the heavy 'weed' cover the trees appeared to be growing well. The Broom (Cytisus scoparius) appeared to be doing particularly well and foliage of the Guelder Rose trees (Viburnum opulus) was stunning and many had bright red berries. Some of the young oaks had a number of galls and one specimen appeared to have powdery mildew.
The extent of the wild plant growth on the forest floor is surprising but it appeared that the most of the plants had grown on the surface of the woodchip mulch rather than growing from beneath. It's a guess but I think that the large unmown area in front of the forest may have been the source of the seeds that grew on the forest floor.
Biodiversity Notes:
Planting: February 2025
While planting with some of the younger students, many of whom had never planted a tree or have a garden at home — one child asked “Is this how I do it?” They were innocently holding the bare root tree upside down, roots in the air and the top in the soil. It was a sweet moment, but also a powerful reminder of how few have had this kind of connection with nature.
Adrian Wong, UK Forest Lead, SUGi
Forest Design
"It's wonderful to be collaborating with SUGi on the Scoil Aoife Forest. With SUGi's support we'll plant 1,000 native Irish trees and shrubs on a space that was just manicured lawn. A win for the school and a win for nature."
John Kiberd, SUGi Forest Maker and Stepping Stone Forests Founder
