Active Communities Restoring the Earth (ACRE)

The Acre Project founded in 2020 by Jesuits in Northern Ireland as a response to an urgent call— the cry of the earth and the poor.

Our mission is clear: to support and encourage grassroots action in the face of climate change and ecological collapse. As seas rise and forests burn, we stand alongside local communities who are both the most affected and the most powerful agents of change.

We are proud to be a project of Dialogue For Diversity, grounded in the inspiring vision of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ profound letter on caring for our common home. It invites us to see Earth not as a resource to exploit, but as a sacred trust to protect.

We believe that real, lasting transformation begins from the ground up.

We believe that people in local communities experience most acutely the effects of the brutal destruction of our planet which has been taking place for decades. But we also believe that these same communities hold incredible wisdom, creativity, and resilience. They are the stewards of change and to nurture renewed growth and life, protecting our planet for future generations.

We are not just dreaming of a better world. We are building it — one acre, one conversation, one community at a time.

Projects

Funded by The National Lottery Fund

With pollinator populations in Northern Ireland under serious threat, we’re taking action to restore habitats, raise awareness, and inspire change.

We aim to plant pollinator-friendly wildflowers, engage local schools and community groups, and encourage participation in insect counts using the FIT Count app. All data is submitted to the national database, helping track pollinator health.

Our project also integrates the RoundView Toolkit, which offers interactive workshops on sustainability, climate change, and human impact. This approach ensures participants understand the why before the how, empowering them to envision and work towards a regenerative future.

The first session took place with Don’t Box Me In, Keady, where children learned how to conduct insect counts and explored the vital role of pollinators in a changing climate. Together, we visited Gosford Forest Park, Armagh, to put their new skills into practice.

We’ll be running more sessions across Northern Ireland until mid-2026.
Want to get involved? Contact us to join the movement and help protect our pollinators.

Pocket Forest Planted in Barcroft Community Garden
Thursday, 3 February 2020

A vibrant partnership between ACRE and Barcroft Community Gardens in Newry has created a Pocket Forest—350 native trees planted in a space the size of just a few parked cars.

Pocket Forests are dense, fast-growing urban woodlands that boost biodiversity, capture carbon, and provide vital habitats. They grow 10× faster, are 30× denser, and absorb 16× more carbon than conventional forests.

Local soil was enriched with compost, worms, and microorganisms before planting a mix of native species. Soon, the site will be buzzing with bees, birds, and butterflies.

The project also engaged St Monina’s Primary School, with 31 pupils helping plant trees while learning about ecosystems and climate action. It will remain a living outdoor classroom for future generations.

While ACRE supported the early stages, the forest belongs to the Barcroft community, with expert guidance from PocketForests ie.

Funders

We are deeply grateful for the generous support that helped bring this vision to life.

The Jesuits in Ireland, whose seed funding to ACRE helped launch the project
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, whose backing represents their largest grant to date for an initiative of this kind
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, for their valuable contribution

🎥 Watch the journey begin — see how the ground was prepared for the Barcroft Pocket Forest: