Wildlife Sanctuary

Our Family Wildlife Sanctuary and Wildlife Projects

Restoring Wild Ireland in West Clare

In the heart of West Clare, on Doolough Lake, our 10-acre family-owned wildlife sanctuary stands as living proof that small, steady efforts can lead to profound ecological renewal.

Shortly after we married, we—James and Annika—moved to this beautiful corner of Ireland with a shared vision: to restore a neglected piece of land and bring it back to life. We purchased the land with our lifelong savings, determined to turn it into something meaningful for both nature and our family.

The area was wild and overgrown—7 acres of forest and 3 acres of meadow. The forest had been poorly planted, with trees placed too close together, stunting their growth and creating dense, unhealthy conditions. The meadow was choked with rushes, brambles, nettles, and tangled undergrowth.

Armed with brush cutters, chainsaws, and the help of our trusted goats, we began the slow, careful work of clearing invasive plants and making space for light, life, and balance to return. Today, that once-forgotten plot is a flourishing sanctuary, alive with biodiversity and shaped by care.

Throughout the sanctuary, ancient Irish stone walls weave through the landscape, and near the lake sits an ancient ruin that we are lovingly protecting and restoring—preserving not just nature, but heritage too.

Measurable Conservation Impact

With the support of our jewelry community, we’ve achieved:

Several thousand trees planted to create healthy woodland and wildlife corridors
Millions of wildflower seeds sown, restoring vital pollinator pathways
10 acres of rewilded land on Doolough Lake in West Clare, now rich with biodiversity
Extended conservation support through World Land Trust contributions

Wildlife Return Stories

Our sanctuary is now a thriving home for a wide range of species:

Birds of prey including buzzards, kestrels, peregrine falcons, barn owls, long-eared owls, hen harriers, and sparrow hawks
Songbirds and woodland birds such as pheasants, snipes, finches, sparrows, robins, and woodland pigeons
Migratory birds like swallows, sand martins, and the cuckoo—returning each year to the sanctuary’s meadows and lake
Mammals including pine martens, badgers, rabbits, otters, and bats
Amphibians and reptiles such as frogs (which spawn each spring) and common lizards
Insects and pollinators including native Irish bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers to name just a few

Many of these species had vanished from this area. Their return is a testament to what careful, respectful land stewardship can achieve.

Our Conservation Philosophy

We blend Celtic reverence for nature with practical conservation:

Planting native trees based on Ireland’s historical woodland patterns
Creating meadows with locally sourced, indigenous wildflower seeds
Restoring wetlands and forests to align with the land’s natural rhythms
Honoring traditional Irish stewardship that treats land as kin, not commodity

Your Direct Impact

20% of every Lehnardt Design jewelry purchase directly funds the care and expansion of our sanctuary. When you wear a Lehnardt piece, you’re not only celebrating Irish culture—you’re actively protecting the wild beauty that inspires it.

Future Conservation Vision

With your support, we’re working toward:

Expanding wildlife monitoring with trail cameras and ecological surveys
Sharing seasonal updates on species and biodiversity with our community
Creating educational experiences for children, artists, and local nature lovers
Designing conservation pathways and storytelling installations to share this land’s story with visitors

Join us in showing that ancient Celtic wisdom can shape a future where nature, heritage, and art live side by side—restored, protected, and deeply cherished.

Sláinte from West Clare,
Annika & James Lehnardt
Founders of Lehnardt Design