On 10th February 2026, participants of the Leaders for Nature Programme reconvened at Airfield Estate for the closing day of a six-month leadership journey delivered by Common Purpose, in partnership with Native Events and Leave No Trace Ireland.
The day followed a clear arc: reconnection, reflection and renewed commitment.
It began with an outdoor reconnection activity, where participants were invited to stand as trees — a simple but effective reminder that leadership for nature is inherently interconnected. This set the tone for a day focused not on completion, but continuation.
An opening session framed the purpose of the gathering before a keynote address from Claire McEvilly, CEO of Airfield Estate. She outlined how Airfield has evolved into a leading centre for sustainable food education and environmental stewardship, offering a practical example of how sustainability can be embedded into strategy, operations and community engagement.
The core of the morning was dedicated to storytelling and presentations. Divided into small groups, participants reflected on their six-month development journey. They shared how the programme strengthened their confidence in leading sustainability initiatives, deepened their understanding of biodiversity and systems thinking, and enabled them to influence conversations within their own organisations. Funders, partners and steering group members were present, reinforcing the wider ecosystem supporting this work.
Lunch showcased Airfield’s own produce through a vegetarian and vegan menu, aligning the day’s discussions with lived practice. A guided tour of the estate followed, tracing its history, evolution and long-term vision as a model of sustainable land use and food production.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted firmly to action. A facilitated session on collective and individual action planning took the form of a marketplace, encouraging participants to explore collaboration opportunities, share initiatives and identify potential partnerships. The emphasis was on sustaining momentum beyond the programme itself.
The closing moments returned outdoors for a final shared reflection, followed by remarks from programme partners and a clear call to action: embed nature-positive leadership into governance, strategy and decision-making at every level. A reception concluded the day, allowing space to strengthen the relationships built over six months.
Leaders for Nature was designed as more than a leadership course. Its legacy now continues through ongoing peer connection, a dedicated book club, future events including a Biodiversity Festival in Donegal, and a growing cross-sector network committed to placing nature at the centre of leadership practice.
Thank you to our Programme Partners Leave No Trace Ireland and Common Purpose, and support of the Minister for Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan.
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IMAGES Daryna Hodyrieva
