Celebrating Earth Day: Unexpected Ways to Nurture Our Planet

While Earth Day often brings to mind familiar actions like recycling and planting trees (all vitally important, of course!). This year, let's explore some slightly less conventional yet equally impactful ways to connect with and care for our planet.
Inspired by the deep appreciation for nature that permeates every corner of Rockhill House Estate, from our ancient woodlands to the buzzing beehives, we've asked the team what little things they do to make an impact and have gathered a few ideas to spark your environmental engagement at home, at work and in your garden.

At Home:

• Become a Citizen Scientist from Your Sofa: Participate in online citizen science projects related to environmental monitoring, like transcribing historical data or installing a digital weather monitoring system and uploading your data to the global weather observation dataset using Met Éireanns WOW portal (which can be found here). Or take it a few steps further and collect information on local bird and mammal populations for submission to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Spending your short break with us at Rockhill House? You can even collect data while enjoying our gardens and ancient woodland or as you explore all that Donegal has to offer.
• Audit Your Digital Carbon Footprint: Explore ways to reduce the energy consumed by your online activities, such as unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, using eco-friendly search engines, and being mindful of data storage. Just as we strive for efficiency on the Estate, being aware of our digital impact is crucial in our modern world.
• Upcycle an Old Item into Something Beautiful or Useful: Instead of discarding something, challenge yourself to repurpose it. This creative act brings a range of mental health benefits - impacting focus and improving creativity. It is something particularly close to our hearts here on the Estate having taken on the immense task of restoring our hidden gem to its former glory and finding new life in a forgotten treasure.

At Work:

• Start a Skill Share: Encourage your team to share their knowledge and skills related to sustainable living during a lunch break or short session. This could include topics like mending clothes, making beeswax wraps, or composting at home. 
• Organise a "Nature Break" During the Day: Encourage short breaks where colleagues step outside to connect with nature, even if it's just a nearby tree or patch of sky. Our expert therapists at The Wellhouse will be sharing a blog about how to make the most of time in nature and the benefits of it soon so be sure to check back for some tips.
• Create a "Plant Buddy" System: Encourage teammates to bring in a small plant for their desk and pair up to take care of each other's plants during absences. This fosters a connection with nature within the office environment.

In the Garden:

• Create a Mini Wildlife Pond (Even in a Container): Providing a small water source can be a haven for birds, insects, and amphibians, significantly boosting local biodiversity. Here on the Estate we have a variety of water habitats, ranging from our main pond (currently filled with tadpoles), woodland mud wallows and a number of fountains throughout the gardens.
• Learn About Native Edible Plants: Research and consider incorporating native, edible plants into your garden. Elderflower and heritage fruit trees like those found in our walled garden provide colour and interest and are excellent bulwark to local ecosystems.
• Build a Bug Hotel: Construct a simple structure to provide shelter for beneficial insects. These insects help with pollination and pest control, contributing to a healthy ecosystem. Here on the Estate we used logs from the woodland to create a mega version when seeking a solution for a gap in the wall - the original stone having been lost to time. But no matter how big or small, the impact will make a difference.

So, as we celebrate Earth Day and beyond, let's embrace these diverse ways of showing our planet some love. Every thoughtful action, no matter how small or unusual, contributes to a healthier, more vibrant world – a world as captivating and cherished as the landscapes surrounding Rockhill House. 

Until next time, 

Take care 

Experience