ReFarm is very proud of our co-founder, Anke Heydenreich, for sharing her story in a recent feature with The Irish Times. The piece gives a glimpse into what inspired and motivated her, alongside Brendan Dunford, to co-found ReFarm Ireland.
The former Glen of the Downs Golf Course greens are now covered with 80,000 native trees, planted by Anke and her husband, John Moran. Walking among the young woodland, Anke reflects on how quickly nature can return when it’s given space to thrive.
She also reminds us that lasting, scalable impact depends on Ireland’s farmers, who care for 70% of the country’s land. Many are already leading the way, farming for nature, and this spirit is what inspired ReFarm’s mission.
At ReFarm, we are grateful to Anke, our farmers, and all supporters helping bring these stories to life—showing how farmers, communities, and initiatives can restore biodiversity and positively shape the Irish landscape.
Read the full feature: The Irish Times – The couple who bought a Wicklow golf course and turned it into a native woodland