Linda Gilsenan
Linda is an expert organic gardener and sustainable garden designer. She is a panel ecologist with the Community Foundation of Ireland and especially enjoys working with community groups.
She has taught organic gardening, sustainable garden design, composting, native seed growing and wildlife appreciation to school children, young people and adults.
Linda lives in Co. Meath with her husband and two children. Her own garden reflects her understanding of what it means to nurture a healthy soil, grow organic vegetables in abundance, and create biodiversity-rich orchards, hedgerows, woodlands, and meadows.
She volunteers at a local primary school each week where a vegetable and biodiversity garden have been created. She is also a member of her local Community Association to assist with biodiversity actions.
Qualifications
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1992–1994: Dublin Institute Technology. Higher National Diploma in Environmental Resources Management (awarded Distinction).
2008: Train the Trainer, FETAC Level 6 (Awarded Merit)
2020: University College Dublin. Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership.
2021: National Organic Training Skillsnet (NOTS). Commercial Organic Polytunnel Course.
2022: The orchard project. Certificate in community orcharding (CICO) Swansea, Wales.
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Currently attending the BSBI Identiplant course.
Teaching experience
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2023: The control and management of invasive species. Online and field-based training for communities in County Clare. European Union (LEADER) funded through Clare Local Development Company.
2023: Evening course in organic growing and designing a biodiversity garden with the VEC in Meath.
2021: Six month online and field-based training to develop a biodiversity enhancement plan for outdoor recreational spaces in 15 communities in County Clare. European Union (LEADER) funded through Clare Local Development Company.
2020: Three-month online training programme: Become a biodiversity leader in your community. European Union (LEADER) funded through West Limerick Resources.
Key webinars given in the last two years
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2022: Forres Transition Towns (Scotland)
Other key work experience:
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2022: Panel ecologist for the Community Foundation Ireland to help communities develop biodiversity plans.
2022: Assisted in BREEAM environmental quality standards assessment for the construction sector, Dublin.
2021/2022: Designed and planted a biodiversity garden for a major property developer, Dublin.
2020: Designed pollinator friendly planting schemes with 31 Tidy Town groups through Ballyhoura development CLG, Co. Limerick.
2022: Designed a biodiversity focused community space the Local hub, Glenbrohane, and Kifinane Co. Limerick.
2020-present: Prepare landscape plans for private clients as part of planning application submissions, complying with local authority conditions favouring native planting.