Kerry is a vast landscape over land and sea, which with the active conservation,  is flourishing in its natural beauty. While the rest of the world expanded into urban sprawl, the people of Kerry fought to preserve its natural habitats for future generations to come. It’s for this reason that Kerry has become a treasured escape for millions who wish to regain their sense of connection with the wilderness. The recent establishment of a new national park in Kerry, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, goes to show Kerry’s persistence in it’s efforts to preserve our wonderful county.

 

Community-Driven Preservation

The preservation of Kerry is no accident, and can be attributed to the hundreds of community-driven efforts on the part of the Kerry people as well as the state to maintain the gift of the land they’ve been given. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, largely because of their incredible success. The county has been so well preserved that its untouched wilderness often inspires people from around the world to join in these projects of conservation, out of a shared respect for earths wonders. Whether you’re passionate about the natural landscapes or the creatures that inhabit it, Kerry is the perfect spot to visit for those looking to contribute to the conservation of our planet.

 

Like Minds at Wild Mind

Wild Mind Festival in Fenit is a great example of participatory conservation efforts happening in Kerry. The festival takes every April. There are several in-festival events with a focus on conservation, from a live podcast discussing Bird Life in Kerry, to in person talks on the conservation of local species.

Marine Projects Protecting The Angel Shark

Our new national park is Ireland's first marine national park, which is welcome news to the many marine conservation efforts taking place along our coasts. One such effort is the Irish Elasmobranch Group and the Angel Shark Project working on Project Tralee, which aims to restore and protect the population of Angel Sharks in our waters. Tralee Bay was once a hotspot for these incredible creatures, and is still considered one of the best places in Ireland to make sightings. Anyone with an interest in the conservation of these sharks is encouraged to report sightings to the Angel Shark Project.

 

Rewilding in the Upland Regions

Rewilding Ireland is an idea that has grown in popularity in recent years. Hometree's Dinnseachas project aims to promote this outcome by involving artists in the uplands of Co. Kerry, to tackle the challenges of biodiversity loss and agricultural policy.

 

Giving Back & Cleaning Up

The Sea Synergy beach cleans run throughout the year, with many events planned for Iveragh Peninsula beaches including Loher Strand and Waterville Beach. All equipment including gloves are provided - why not join in and give a little back on your visit to the beach!

 

Coastal Conservation & Education

The magnificent Maharees Archipelago is where the Maharees Conservation Association have worked extensively to protect their splendid sand dunes. Locals have banded together with the shared goal of ensuring the survival of these sand dunes which have become an anchor for local life and the tourism industry in the area. For those looking to get involved, the organization runs regular operations, such as cleans or Marram grass planting, which helps protect the dunes from further erosion.

Working Towards A Reusable Culture

Dingle Food Festival's ambition is to be Ireland's first zero waste to landfill festival, and has built a dedicated following. Other incredibly successful initiatives include the Killarney Coffee Cup Project which has significantly reduced the amount of single use paper cups going to landfill. The key successes of these projects are the people, businesses and visitors to Kerry all uniting in a shared vision towards zero waste - with a legacy now evolving to teach and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and community groups. 

 

Reimagining & Education on Wool Waste

The Wise Wool Project aims to bring awareness about wool waste, and it has offered a variety of events, talks and workshops to educate and inform all ages in a participatory and enjoyable way.

 

Industry, Education & Community

Across the county, Kerry's enterprise, tourism and educational leaders deliver exemplary programmes designed to increase the skills and knowledge around building the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the region. Kerry's position as nineteenth on the Global Destination Sustainability Index is a testament to the county working together for the greater good. 

 

Biodiversity & Local Food Systems

Brilliant Ballybunion do tremendous work in their effort to protect the biodiversity and local food systems in the North Kerry area. They explore issues like climate change and biodiversity loss through artistic expression in their workshops. In 2024 they celebrated biodiversity with their Dawn Chorus event as part of the MOYA Ballybunion Festival, where they set out at 5am on a clear summers morning into the wild to experience the scintillating sounds of the bird song on a summers morning. Their 2025 North Kerry Sustainability Day is creating a conversation around food and wellbeing, all the wild and wonderful parts of our biosphere and energy and sustainability in our communities.

 

Imagine the Future and Get Involved

These incredibly engaging and thoughtful projects show how in Kerry, tourism, education, community and enterprise together strike a balance, with a legacy for next generations to inherit. It can be fun, participative, impactful and good for the earth and the community.