Reports & Publications
Forage quality of semi natural calcareous grasslands and heaths of the Burren.
This paper aims to answer three questions:
1.What is the forage quality of the calcareous grasslands and heaths of the Burren?
2.Are there variations in forage quality during the main grazing seasons of late summer and winter?
3.Does the forage quality meet the nutritional requirements of the suckler cow, which is the most prevalent livestock type grazing these areas?
BurrenLIFE Socio Econmic Report
BurrenLIFE project commissioned a research group based in NUI Galway to determine the socio ecomonic implications of adopting farming for conservation practices across the wider Burren. A major finding of the report was the public’s willingness to pay farmers to maintain the landscape and biodiversity values of their farms.
5th Year Newsletter
The Project’s 5th Year Newsleter, covering the period Winter 2009 to Spring 2010.
Management Plan for the Burren Feral Goat
A management strategy for maintaing a sustainable Feral Goat population in the Burren. The report also contains a strategy for preserving the remnant of the Old Irish breed retained in the population.
Media Coverage 2009
A selection of both national and regional media coverage generated by the project in 2009.
Project overview September 2009
A one page document with images, detailing the core objectives of the project, work carried out by the project and contact information.
Project Update- Autumn 2009
1 page project update covering progress achieved on actions and general project information.
BLP Conference 2008 – Attendance List
The full attendance list and contact details are provided here.
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 togther with images from the farms visited.
Day 3 – Session 7 – Farming for Conservation – Supporting the Future
The final session of the confernce 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).
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.
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 repersented on the panel by Andy Bleasdale (NPWS), Sean Regan (Teagasc) and Michael Davoren (Burren IFA).
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.
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) reviwed 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 unforseen 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”.
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 succesful implmentation 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.
BLP Conference February 2008 – Technical Report
The full BLP Conference Report and Presentations are available for download under the Reports/Publications section this website.
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.
Workshop Report – Animal Heath & Nutrition On Conservation Grasslands
This reports relates to the workshop held as part of the BurrenLIFE Project (www.burrenlife.com), which aims to develop a new model for the sustainable agricultural management of the Habitats Directive Annex I priority habitats of the Burren. The workshop was held on the 25th of September 2006 in Carron, Co. Clare, Ireland.
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
Annual Newsletter 2006
Welcome to the second annual newsletter of the BurrenLIFE Project. This newsletter covers the work of the BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) for 2006, and forms a key part of the Project’s overall education and information distribution process. The first annual newsletter, published in late 2005, and all other updates, are available on this website.
BurrenLIFE, Old School House, Carron, Co. Clare, Ireland.
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