By: Mia Ambroiggio ‘26 MEM
The Forest School took the annual fall forestry field trip international! The group traveled to Ireland to study a landscape shaped by both rich history and ecology. Led by Lecturer Joe Orefice and in collaboration with local experts, the week-long trip gave students a glimpse into Ireland’s forests and peatlands through the lens of the Luggala Estate.
For many, the trip was as personal as it was academic. “The Ireland trip offered a chance to explore the unique challenges of a culturally intertwined landscape, collaborate with a landowner to develop thoughtful restoration recommendations, and all the while connect with my heritage,” reflected Christopher Gunderson ’26 MF. “Somewhere between the misty mornings, the squish of the peat, and the laughter shared over pub dinners, I fell in love with a beautiful place.”
For Caitlyn Castleberry ’27 MF, this was her first trip outside of the United States. The experience expanded her conception of restoration issues she studies in the United States, and what she came to The Forest School to do. “I was able to hear from experts in the field about peatland restoration and restoration forestry that is happening across Ireland,” she explained. “Peatland is one of the best carbon storages in the world, and the restoration of these unique ecosystems is critical in today’s changing climate.”
The ability to immersively learn about Ireland’s forest and peatlands — with the understanding that the ecological context of the region is inevitably intertwined with the cultural and political context — was a highlight for many on the trip. “I was particularly struck by the intersections of history, policy, and ecology: many re/afforestation efforts are funded by highly successful federal grant programs but have to overcome the historical connotations of forestry and imperialism in Ireland,” says Eliana Colani ’26 MEM.
These intersections came to life throughout the trip — whether walking the landscape, examining soil cores, or sharing homemade stew with land managers whose work is rooted in the history of the land they call home. The combination of learning firsthand from land managers, to experiencing what was just learned in the field, provided a holistic understanding of the region and its practices. Sonia Klein ’26 MEM recalls that “meeting Dr. John Connolly to learn about peatland management and restoration was incredible. He taught us that roughly one millimeter of peat forms each year, then brought us out into the blanket bogs to witness that process firsthand. Digging into the ancient peat and realizing we were literally reaching centuries into the past was unforgettable.”
Overall, the trip reflected core values students are exploring at YSE — restoration, collaboration, resilience — in an exciting and unfamiliar context. “I learned a tremendous amount about adapting forestry practices across systems. Our field trips took us across ecosystems and viewpoints, our hosts were consummately gracious, and I was intensely inspired in both my personal research and in the research questions intrinsic to the estate,” says Sierra Chadwick ’27 MF. Returning home to New Haven, the students carry the lessons learned in Ireland — and the community they built there — that will inform their perspectives on restoration and stewardship closer to home.
Students gather around a vibrant peatland ecosystem. Photo: Christopher Gunderson ’26 MF
