Biodiversity

Body & Soul festival is held at Ballinlough Castle and grounds, which boasts beautiful landscapes and sacred spaces that are home to a diverse range of life. In light of the biodiversity crisis, the festival has made it a priority to care for and respect the festival’s natural surroundings. 

One of the ways in which Body & Soul is making a positive impact on the environment is through its partnership with The Festival Forests Project. Over the years, with thanks to our festival community, more than 400 native trees have been planted at the festival site. To better understand the ecosystem of the surrounding area and minimise the festival’s impact on local wildlife, a wildlife study was conducted in 2018. The results were positive, showing minimal impact on a local bat population. The festival map is now designed with these findings in mind, creating dark spots for bats to reduce the amount of unnatural light in specific areas. Body & Soul also takes measures to protect the woodlands and ensure their preservation for future generations. Crew members incorporate tree root protection measures when building the festival site, such as using ground protection mats and boards, placing protective seating around tree bases, creating exclusion zones, and avoiding disturbing the roots. As a community, Body & Soul festival-goers recognise their indebtedness to the land and strive to give back to it. By taking these steps, they are helping to create a more respectful festival experience that embraces the beauty, colour, and magic of the natural surroundings.