Our plan was to grow a small woodland, but what really grew was a tight-knit group of friends. We started off lost and clueless, but neighbours and friends jumped in, turning hard work into laughter and belonging. The mess and mud brought us together, and sparked a whole new community tree nursery. This talk is about how one simple action can spark connection, hope, and unexpected friendships. Anyone can start - sometimes it just takes asking for help. She is a founding member of Local Roots, a community led native Irish tree nursery based in Cromane, co.Kerry with a focus on environmental conservation and community development. By collecting native tree seeds locally, growing and giving trees back to the community, they are addressing both environmental and social needs. One of the projects Local Roots is leading is the Acorn Quest - growing the smartest Oak in Kerry’s primary schools. Students are given an Oaky Pod in which an acorn suspends in a jar with water. The students can observe and learn more about the stages of growth an acorn goes through with the help of worksheets provided by the Tree Council of Ireland. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx