Support An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland
An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland
Americans for An Taisce (pronounced “ahn tash-ka”) is playing an active role in the United States to protect and safeguard all that we love about Ireland by raising funds and awareness of the critical work being done by An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland.
An Taisce, meaning “the treasury or storehouse” in the Irish language, has been a champion for the protection of heritage buildings and glorious landscapes across the Republic of Ireland for 75 years – standing up for nature and advocating for its future.
Ireland’s meteoric economic progress over the past four decades has been an incredible success story, but, as in other advanced countries, has accelerated pressure on the vulnerable Irish environment.
Twenty years ago, Ireland could count 500 clean water bodies. Now, this number has been dramatically reduced to only 35. The need for greater protections for clean water bodies is evident at places like Booterstown Marsh, a nature reserve and the only remaining saltmarsh on the south shore of Dublin Bay. The marsh is set in an urban environment and provides an essential refuge and habitat for migratory birds and wintering waterfowl. It is also home to 69 different plants that fall under the protection of the Wildlife Act (Flora Protection Order of 1987), a fact that will contribute positively to the proposal for NHA designation, which would give the marsh important recognition outside Ireland.
Ireland’s breathtaking coastlines, crystal clear waters, and other fragile ecosystems become more at risk everyday from the impacts of climate change. Protecting our natural environment has never been more important and An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland is taking the lead and standing up for nature.
An Independent Voice for the Environment
An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland is an independent, non-governmental voice for the environment and for heritage issues. An Taisce has the unique role of being the only independent charitable body in Ireland that the government relies on for consulting on policy, planning, and application processes. Their robust, integrated approach defends the importance of species diversity and living within planetary boundaries.
An Taisce is dedicated to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises while promoting human health and wellbeing by educating and advocating on behalf of present and future generations on the important choices we must make in search of a more environmentally sustainable future.
An Taisce does this work with only a few dozen staff and the help of thousands of volunteers. With greater financial support, An Taisce will be able to streamline operations and have more boots on the ground where they are needed most – reaching everyday people in their own communities. An Taisce’s staff educate about smarter ways to change our behavior, advocate for habitats that are in urgent need, and identify opportunities for the public to get involved.
Many of the places under the care of An Taisce are globally significant, with international designations for nature and wildlife conservation. Without An Taisce’s involvement, there would be little oversight or informed decision making on government action that impacts the irreplaceable landscapes and places we hold dear.
How Americans Can Help
Forty million Americans have Irish heritage and many more have come to feel a deep personal connection to this beautiful island, a place that was the beloved home of so many of our ancestors. We hold in our hearts images of family farms, charming villages, breathtaking coastlines, and crystal clear waters. This connection to Irish soil is real and so is the risk that Ireland’s built and natural environment face today.
In collaboration with the Irish American Partnership, Americans for An Taisce makes it possible for Americans to show their support for environmental protection and sustainability in Ireland while addressing the globally significant climate crisis.
In recognition of An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland’s 75th anniversary, Americans for An Taisce seeks to raise a minimum of $75,000 in its first year to help support new staff positions in the Advocacy Unit. Gifts of $750 or more will be recognized as founding support for Americans for An Taisce and will be acknowledged in print and electronic materials for years to come.
Babe’s Bridge, near Navan, Co Meath. Image courtesy of An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland.
About Americans for An Taisce
Americans for An Taisce was founded in 2023 by a Board of Ambassadors with an affinity for Ireland and a dedication to climate action. It is funded with generous grants from The 1772 Foundation and advisory support from The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.
Chair, Board of Ambassadors: Elizabeth Murphy
Members of the Board of Ambassadors: Mary Anthony, John Bellassai, Veronica Brady, Kirstin Bridier, Karaugh Brown, Sharon Harrington, Tom Moriarity, Elizabeth Murphy, C. Brid Nicholson, Ph.D., Kelly Renn, Andrew Russell
Please direct questions about Americans for An Taisce to project administrator, Lisa Bravata at [email protected].
Join us today!
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland below.
Your gift, in any amount, will make a tremendous difference to An Taisce’s ability to safeguard Ireland’s natural and historic beauty today and for generations to come. This unrestricted support will be allocated where it is needed most, providing An Taisce with the greatest amount of flexibility to remain a highly responsive organization.
Support An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland with a tax-deductible gift below. 100 cents of every dollar of your gift will go directly to An Taisce.
You can also mail a check to The Irish American Partnership at 15 Broad Street, Suite 210, Boston, MA 02109 and note “An Taisce” in the memo.