Our Mission

An Taisce is a charity that works to promote environmental awareness and action in the context of the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. 

Over the past few years, we have been widening the organisation's original mission from ‘the protection of built and natural heritage’ to a more encompassing vision including a focus on ecosystem resilience and biodiversity enhancement as essential to sustain human community and wellbeing. This vision is  guided by a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and an awareness of the interconnection of the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

An Taisce is focused on the resilience of ecosystems as the foundation for the preservation of human society and heritage. In so doing we recognise the need to educate, and advocate on behalf of, present and future generations regarding the interdependence of all elements of the biosphere and the choices that must be made in search of a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future.

We know that this cannot be achieved by local or national actions alone, but demands a robust, integrated approach which recognises the importance of species diversity, sustainable agriculture, clean and plentiful water, unpolluted air and living within planetary boundaries. An Taisce has three branches working towards these goals:

Our Advocacy Unit focuses on environmental planning and policy. We advocate for sustainable planning and development and other environmental issues on local, national and European levels. We are the only independent environmental non-governmental organisation in Ireland with prescribed status under the Planning Acts. 

Our Education Unit designs and delivers key environmental education programmes, such as Green Schools and Clean Coasts, from Irish and international sponsors giving us links deep into the community for the promotion of environmental objectives.

Through our Properties Unit, An Taisce continues to hold important heritage properties and nature reserves in trust for the Irish public. This portfolio continues to expand most recently with a 2,400 acre cross-border estate in Co. Monaghan.

We work closely with other environmental organisations around the country. We are part of the Irish Environmental Network and the Environmental Pillar. Internationally, we are a member of the International National Trusts Organisation and the European Environmental Bureau. We are also the Irish member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a global organisation of over 70 nations which is recognised as a world leader in education for sustainable development and environmental education.