burren LIFE

June 03, 2009
BurrenLIFE Goes Europe Wide

BurrenLIFE Goes Europe Wide

The BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) is scheduled to finish on 31st August 2009 following almost five years work in the Burren. As the first major farming for conservation project in Ireland the progress of the Project has been closely watched by a diverse range of groups both in Ireland and internationally to see if the pilot work can now be mainstreamed. BurrenLIFE’s work and that of local Burren farmers has now gone Europe wide. This is due to the fact that the work of BurrenLIFE featured in a major documentary broadcast this past week on Portuguese national TV and which was subsequently gone out Europe wide on Eco-Europa TV.

The BLP was delighted to welcome the film crew from EcoEuropa TV to the Burren. The programme has a very wide audience throughout Europe. The BLP was selected as an example of ‘best practice’ in terms of developing sustainable farming for conservations systems within a European contact.

During their visit to Ireland the film crew first met with the BLP team at the project office in Carron. Mr. Ruairí Ó Conchúir, BurrenLIFE’s Finance and Operations Officer, gave a detailed presentation on the work of the BLP and its achievements to date. Mr. Ó Conchúir highlighted that the key to its success has been ‘a durable local partnership which has brought together all the relevant stakeholders but most importantly local farmers’.

The film work began in the Burren National Park at Mullaghmore where they spent tiem filming with BurrenLIFE farmer Mr. James Howard.

The focus was BLP’s work on rebuilding stone walls and scrub removal work to allow better access for cattle and to assist in targeted grazing. The TV crew were highly entertained by James who has been part of the BLP since 2005.

Filming also took place at Slieve Carron Nature where Dr Sharon Parr, BurrenLIFE’s Scientific Co-ordinator detailed the BLP’s work on scrub control and monitoring work. Dr. Parr noted that the TV crew ‘were fascinated by the nature of the farming for conservation work being undertaken and the critical role that correct grazing plays in the overall mantainance of the orchid-rich grasslands’

Dr. Brendan Dunford, BLP Manager, highlighted to the film crew the ‘need for site-specific management plans’ which he noted ‘were developed in consultation with the individual farmer concerned, to deal specifically with the grazing and feeding of livestock, including the use of a specifically tailored concentrate ration’.

One of the highlights of the trip was a site visit to the farm of Lorraine and Roger Woods in Gregans West, Ballyvaughan which is one of BurrenLIFE’s monitor farms. The film crew spent a considerable period of time with Roger and Lorraine and the young family and were entertained by young lamb and young calves. The family outlined in detail the farming for conservation measures which have best worked for them.

For further information on the work of BurrenLIFE is available on the Project website – www.burrenlife.com

ENDS