burren LIFE

Workshop- Sustainable Management of Burren Goats.
In February 2009, the BurrenLIFE Project hosted a workshop entitled ‘The sustainable management of Burren Goats. Following the workshop A management strategy for maintaining a sustainable Feral Goat population in the Burren was written. The report also contains a strategy for preserving the remnant of the Old Irish breed retained in the population.

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Workshop- Heritage of the Burren
In January 2009 the BurrenLIFE Project hosted a workshop in Ennis focusing on the heritage of the Burren.

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Workshop- Animal Health and Welfare Issues on Conservation Grasslands
Over the first three years of the project, a large amount of information relating to animal diet, health and condition on Burren winterages was amassed by the project team. This workshop held in September 2007 was an opportunity to share this information with local animal practitioners and elicit their response based on their hands-on practical experience in the Burren.

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Workshop – Animal Heath & Nutrition On Conservation Grasslands
The workshop was held on the 25th of September 2006 in Carron, Co. Clare.
The main focus of the workshop was to discuss animal nutrition and health on conservation grasslands with specific reference to winter grazing systems on the orchid-rich calcareous grasslands and heaths of the Burren. Particular topics explored included:
1. A review of current knowledge on animal nutrition on conservation grasslands in an Irish, British & European context, including case studies from the limestone grasslands of the UK;
2. Basic animal nutrition (energy & protein): forage quantity & quality, supplementation requirements and options, including new data from the Burren;
3. Trace minerals and animal health on conservation grasslands: a review of current knowledge

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BurrenLIFE Closing Seminar
The BurrenLIFE Project hosted its closing seminar in Gort on Monday 9th November 2009. Presenters at the seminar included hydrogeologist Dr Pamela Bartley and social researcher Dr Tom van Rensburg. The final seminar programme can be downloaded below.

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BLP Conference Feb 2008- Technical Report
Generations of farming activity have shaped, enriched and sustained many of the most important high nature value landscapes in Europe. The conservation of these landscapes and their associated habitats and species depends on the continuation of sustainable farming practices. The Burren region provides an interesting example of how farming interacts with the landscape, as it is a place which has been profoundly shaped by over six thousand years of farming activity. The work of the BurrenLIFE project offers a useful case study of how the issues affecting such landscapes may be tackled in a real and meaningful way. To explore these themes, a three day international conference entitled “Farming for Conservation – Supporting the Future” took place in Ennistymon, Co. Clare from the 24th-27th February, 2008. This report summarises the main outcomes and conclusions of the conference arising from presentations (available for download at www.burrenlife.com) and discussions.

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Field Trip Reports – BurrenLIFE Conference 2008
The major highlight of the entire three day international conference for most delegates was the field trip to BurrenLIFE farms. These field trips (a visit to 2 LIFE farms per group) were facilitated by participating LIFE farmers. This report highlights the major issues encountered and discussed together with images from the farms visited.

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BLP Conference 2008 – Attendance List
The full attendance list and contact details are provided here.

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Day 1 – Session 2 – Three European Case Studies
The second morning focused on three European case studies.

Tim Thom, of the Limestone Country LIFE Project, in Yorkshire, UK, gave an overview of the successful implementation of Limestone Country. Susanne Forslund, Kalmar County Administrative Board, Sweden presented a case study on the the Alvars of Sweden – and more particularly the LIFE project on the island of Oland. Eileen O’Rourke, Department of Geography, University College Cork, Ireland, presented a case study on the Causse Méjan, in France.

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Day 1 – Session 3 – Farming For Conservation – Obstacles and Practicalities
The first afternoon session on Day 1 focused on the obstacles and practicalities of Farming For Conservation. An overview of the socio-economic sustainability of a high labour input farm system with limited returns was presented by Alan Matthews (Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin). Sean McGloin (Western Organic Network) reviewed the need for improved sharing of information and resources more especially in terms of training and education. James Moran (Teagasc / BLP) reviewed farming for conservation advisory systems. While not presented at the conference, due to unforeseen circumstances, the paper of Eric Bignal (Farmer & Director EFNCP) focused on the relative impacts of Pillar I and Pillar II measures on “farming for conservation”.

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Day 1 – Session 4 – Farming for Conservation – Support Requirements
The final session on Day 1 focused on the support requirements for farming for conservation. Gerry Boyle (Director of Teagasc) outlined the role of Teagasc in building such a support base and their support for the BurrenLIFE Project. Sharon Parr (BLP)focused her presentation on the research and monitoring requirements and the work of the BurrenLIFE Project to date. The key note address of the conference was delivered by John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government on Sustaining Ireland’s Heritage – The Challenges and the Opportunities.

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Day Two – Session 5 – Panel Discussion
Following the morning field trips the afternoon session on Day 2 focused on the Burren and the role of the Project Partners. The partners were represented on the panel by Andy Bleasdale (NPWS), Sean Regan (Teagasc) and Michael Davoren (Burren IFA).

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Day 3 – Session 6 – Looking Forward – Supporting the Delivery of Farming For Conservation
The first morning session on the third day of the conference focused on the future and on methods of supporting the delivery of farming for conservation. Ruairí Ó Conchúir (BLP) presented the case of ‘Marketing Conservation Grade Local Produce’. Harry Gracey (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Northern Ireland) presented on ‘Delivering through innovative Agri-environmental schemes’ focusing on the experience to date in Northern Ireland. Gwyn Jones and Guy Beaufoy (EFNCP) presented a new model for farming for conservation in Europe: The High Nature Value Farming approach.

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Day 3 – Session 7 – Farming for Conservation – Supporting the Future
The final session of the conference included a recap on the main themes emerging from the conference by Brendan Dunford (BLP), a open plenary session (captured in the main report)and a review of the objectives set on Day 1 together with an overview of the next steps in the process and timeframes by Ruairí Ó Conchúir (BLP).

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