We are delighted to welcome you to our end-of-project symposium: From Root to Branch - Rethinking Our Relationship with Trees, which will be taking place at the Fota Education, Conservation and Conservation Centre on March 19 2025, 10am-4.30pm. Please find more information about the event and participating speakers below. 

Theme

It is widely recognised that trees are critical for the survival and development of humanity, not only through their role in the provision of clean air, food, shelter, medicine, wellbeing and climate resilience, but also in the way they influence cultural heritage and identity. Despite these many benefits, tree extinction is accelerating at an alarming rate, with far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Whilst there are many underlying reasons for this current crisis, it has been identified that plant blindness, or what we term Human Imperception of Plants (HIP) - the inability to notice, recognize, or appreciate plants in everyday life - contributes significantly to inadequate plant conservation.

This symposium will feature papers from key speakers who will help us to rethink our relationship with trees from multiple perspectives. Drawing on insights from both STEM and culture, the symposium aims to consider ways in which we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of trees so that we may better protect them. The symposium is open to a wide variety of approaches and will be of interest across disciplines and sectors.

Speakers include: Darach Lupton (National Botanic Gardens of Ireland), Niall Farrelly(Teagasc), Susannah Chapman (UCC), Finola O'Kane (UCD), Sophia Meeres (UCD), Ray Ó Foghlú (HomeTree), Niamh Guiry (UCC), Mary Dillon (Burrenbeo), Rosari Kingston (UCC),  Sarah Hourigan (Coillte) and Barbara Doyle Prestwich (UCC)

Arrival

The event will take place at the Fota Education, Conservation and Research Centre at Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, T45CD93. 

Free parking will be available on the day. If you are arriving via train from Cork Kent station, the Fota tour train will be available to pick up attendees from Fota station at 9:15 AM and 9:45 AM. Alternatively, it is possible to walk (this takes about 15 minutes) from Fota station to the venue.

Registration will open at 9.15am