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
Thursday 3 February 2020
This exciting project is the result of a vibrant partnership between ACRE and Barcroft Community Gardens in Newry — a collaboration rooted in community, biodiversity, and hope for the future.
What’s a Pocket Forest?
Pocket Forests are tiny biodiverse forest, usually located in urban areas, which are planted in small areas. Remarkably, up to 350 native trees can thrive in the space taken by just six or seven parked cars.
The Pocket Forest will create a pocket powerhouse of carbon sequestration. The soil, microbes, plants and insects create a biodiversity hotspot that grows 10 times faster, is 30 times denser and absorbs 16 times more carbon than conventional forests. And they enhance the biodiversity in the local area.
The process begins with nourishing the soil — adding compost, feeding worms and microorganisms, and laying the groundwork for a rich, living ecosystem. Then comes the planting: a mix of native trees and shrubs, chosen to grow quickly and support one another in a dense, layered forest system. Within a short time, these forests bloom with life — attracting bees, birds, butterflies, and more.
Education in Action
This project isn’t just about planting trees — it’s about planting ideas and inspiration in young minds. Barcroft Community Gardens teamed up with St Monina’s Primary School, where 31 enthusiastic Primary 4 pupils joined in the planting day to learn firsthand about ecosystems, biodiversity, and the power of local action.
The site will continue to serve as a living outdoor classroom for local schools, offering children a chance to learn in and from nature.
Powered by the Community
ACRE played a key role at the beginning of the project. But the project is wholly owned by Barcroft Community Gardens: they are the local community at the centre of everything.
The project could not have succeeded without the technical know-how of PocketForests.ie, a pioneering group responsible for similar projects throughout the South.
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:
