European Innovation Partnership Scheme with Mitch

In autumn 2021 Hometree received funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for a year-long European Innovation Partnership (EIP). The EIP uses Hometree’s Illaun Restoration Site as a hub, which currently hosts a mature spruce plantation. Through a number of innovations we will transform Illaun into a species-rich woodland that is integrated into the wider landscape and community.

In the video below Mitch Corbett, co-founder of Hometree and Tree Nursery Manager, talks about what we have been doing in the last few months in the spruce plantation to invite more biodiversity.

“The spruce forest is a magical place already. Spruce is an incredible tree, but when planted so dense they can be detrimental to local wildlife. Having seen Illuan switch from a dark, blank canvas to now a luminescent and light filled coniferous haven, it is possible to see the potential. It already feels like the forests doors are open to all the surrounding wildlife.

It has also been lovely to see the understory saplings start to establish themselves and it’s exciting to survey there progress.

The newly erected beehives, bat boxes, birds nest boxes and field mouse houses are all in situ. Some already inhabited and some being inspected regularly for newly homed friends.

Here’s to this incredible place being nurtured and re-planted thoroughly with as many native species as possible, big and small. By hand and by beak. Team work.”

- Mitch Corbett

This project is funded by The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and is part of The European Innovative Project.