From industrial site to blooming habitat
Supported through the SECAD’s Tús and WildWork initiatives
Once a heavy industrial site, Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour has been transformed into a vibrant public park and pollinator sanctuary through SECAD’s Wild Work initiative.
Since 2018, the island has hosted the Wild Work Pollinator Project, which has created and maintained four rich habitats — wildflower meadow, amenity grassland, coastal grassland, and wet grassland — supporting native bees and aligning with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
SECAD continues to support the project through the Tús Programme, with participants maintaining the site, helping preserve the habitats, and keeping the area welcoming and accessible for visitors. With outdoor education and community engagement at its heart, Haulbowline now stands as a model of ecological restoration.
SECAD Partnership funds and advises local environmental initiatives, supporting over 60 biodiversity projects annually to promote sustainable community development. This is the story of one such project.
Discover more stories highlighting SECAD’s 30-year journey in promoting rural development and social inclusion in East, South, and West Cork and across the island of Ireland since 1995.
